The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-06


Clayton Bulwer treaty relative to the con-
struction OF the Nicaraguan canal,-was
signed at the state department today by
Secretary Hay and Lord Paunceforte for
Great Britain Though the contamination
OF the treaty occupied some time owing TO
the necessity of comparing the two drafts.
. there was little formality about the cere-
mony, and the convention that Is expect
ed to be for the United States at least OF
the most far-reaching Importance and val
tie came into being without any theatrical
surroundings. There were present besides
Secretary Hay and Lord Paunceforte only
Mr. Bromley. honorary attache of the Brit
ish embassy and prospective son-in-law OF
Lord Paunceforte: Sidney Smith. chief OF
the diplomatic bureau, and VIM @. Wynn,
the faithful and discreet messenger to the
department of state, who placed the seals
upon this convention. as he has upon near
" every treaty OF Importance to which
the United States has been party for
the past thirty years
Two Drafts Compared.
The first thing IN order was TO compare
the two drafts OF the treaty carefully to
insure their Identity. which work was per-
formed by Messrs. Smith and Bromley.
Then the signing took place, Secretary Hay
attaching his signature first 10 the copy
OF the treaty which is to be retained by the
United States government after Anal rati-
sications The seals we're attached and then
there were congratulations and the cere-
mony was over.
Messs Smith and Bromley retired and
Secretary Hay and Lord Pauncefo,e had
long private chat.
Taken to the white Hous,.
Mr. Smith carried the freshly signed
treaty to the White House. where the letter
OF trsnsmittal was signed by the president.
so that the treaty could be dispatched at
once to the United States senate for rntt-
fcation. The letter of transmittal was pure
~ formal. simply commencing the treaty
to the senate without entering upon any
argument to demonstrate its great value.
Details Are withheld.
Secretary Hay declined 10 make public
the text Of the treaty or even to make any
statement az to It's details holding that
courtesy 10 the senate obliged him to re-
main silent until the senate Itself removed
the seal OF confidence from the convention.
So that all that is now known Of tiis con-
veution Is that II amends the Clayton-Bul
xsr treaty of 40 In such manner that
Great Britain yields TO the United States
the right TO construct the Nicaragua canal
or a canal at any other point on the 18TH
mus without British participation.
Neutrality of Canal Assured.
Most OF the ether features In the Clayton
Bulwer treaty are retained This is notably
true of article s. which guarantees the alb
solute neutrality OF any canal and tho
ouri;y Of the capital invested II is under
stood that the United States continues upon
itself ghis obligation 10 maintain the
naturalization Of the canal which shall he
open and free. Il is also believed the treaty
looks Ia an international understanding on
this point Because the requirements OF In
tcrnationaI courtesy would not otherwise
be observed u Is expected The senate viii
not make the convention public before to-
morrow a. the earliest. and on tuls point
there has hcen some understanding between
Secretary Hay and the British government
Arranged In wa.hington.
The treaty vas arranged between secre-
tary Hay and Lord Paunccgote. who are
the prineipais and who manifest that
fact ny ssgninx the treaty. Possibly the
fact that the arst news of the success
oC the attempt 20 reach sn agreement on
this important sabjcct came fron Lon
don was the reason for the belief in Some
quarters that The negotiations were All
conducted there.
Canal Can BE BuiIs.
As soon as the treaty ts ratified and
the ratincations have been exchanged. IN.
Snited States will be AZ liberty 20 pro-
coed at once with the construction of an
tsthmian canal. unfetterea by any obllga-
lions toward Great Britain. save that Of
allowing British citizens. and the cisi-
gems Of other nations. the use of the canal
on the same terms with American citf-
zens Possibly this might have been done
without today's treaty. Tor the case as
20 whether or not the Clayton Buluer
treaty is siih alive has bean suhiecs y
controversy for many years ana able
minds have tskea opposite sides Bat
the present administration is convinced
that the Clayton Bulwer treaty is stiu IN
force and it felt itself bound by the most