The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-18
The Truth Hbout
Thai Canal TreatV

Hon. Charles Emory smith in the Philadelphia
Press.
~ tMOR, suggestion and assertion have fol-
II lowed the action of the senate on the
N canal treaty pending. 1t has been
assumed that difference of opinion TO
means and details implies difference Of opinion
aS to the ends and purposes of the United States
in dealing with the canal question. Nothing
could be farther WRONG. All Americans are
agreed that every interest OF the United States
in the canal must be safcguarded beyond the
possibility OF doubt. The senate asks no more.
The president desires less. Because differences
exist to the steps to this end the fertile soil
of Washington has bred cloud OF rumors These
call Tor plain words. The American public has
right to know the exact situation.
!. Secretary Hay will not resign. Nothing cx.
lists to suggest this. Nothing has happened or
will To cause this He did his duty in negotiat-
ing the treaty. lie followed the clear line OF
precedent and international practice. He com.
plctcd his task when he negotiated the treaty.
lie will resume his task in the negotiations rem.
dcrcl necessary through the action of the senate
In these negotiations he will again do his full
duty, guided by all the circumstances of the
they exist when the negotiations come
.. The treaty will not be withdrawn. In trans
mittng it the president acted on his best judg-
ordinate branch OF the treaty making power
Neither president nor senate acts alone The
senate cannot negotiate. The president cannot
ratity. Each has const titutional right to its
best judgment. Neither can devolvc its rcspon.
sibility on the other. The best and wscst for.
egn policy Of the United States is the Joint
product o: the judgment OF both president and
senate.
3. When the senate has acted the canal treaty
wi In tho liant IN {La
created by the Joint action OF both the treaty
making powers OF the constitution it will be the
duty of the president to act. The national policy
is clear-an American canal built by Americans
with an American guaranty, open to the worlds
trade The difficult and delicate task will remain
of securing this, with due regard to our engage.
mcnts in the past and responsibilities in the
future.
Both must be considered Neither can be rash
" put aside, As it has been the constitutional
duty of the senate to act on its best Judgment
in amending the treaty, so it will be the duty
of the president To act ON his best Judgment
under the conditions now existing, with all the
conditions that prccedc, in the next stage Of
negotiations on the canal. Concession will be
necessary. The adjustment of conflicting inter.
csts will be indispensable. All the circumstances
must he considered The situation of both the
negotiations in the new agreement now pending
must he weighed. No factor can be omitted
No due consideration, national or International
must be overlooked, whether American, English
Nicaraguan or foreign TO all three. In the nego.
tiation upon which the president must soon enter
all these must have their fit weight, and all
must be considered in working out mutual un.
derstanding and harmonious decision which will
assure the national policy without violating the
national faith, compromising the national future
or afirontng International claims susceptibilities
and relations.