The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-07
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY !. 1901.
The Hny-pmuucefot- Treaty.

The Hay-Pnuncefot- Treaty.
II is difficult TO speak without irritation
of the ridiculous diplomatic fas,o which
marks the end of our quite superfiucus ne
gotiations with Great Britain to induce that
Government to consent TO the abrogltion
OF the Clayton -Bulwer Treaty, which it
violated vitality and in violating vacated
and abandoned forty-hye years ago. The
country has been led 10 suppose that in
permitting the ghost of this defunct con-
yention to be handled before its eyes by
the British Foreign Office. our State De-
psrtment was only observing the conven-
tions of diplomatic courtesy. and had no
idea of recognizing the Clayton Bulwer
Treaty as thing possibly to be considered
as alive. II was supposed however. that
in order to make it easy for Lord Sails
bury TO retire from an untenable position.
the point of ipso facto abandonment would
not be raised in view of the understanding
that England intended TO show good feel
ing and a desire to deserve American
friendship by formally renouncing its Old
and aggravating contention.
Far from anything OF that kind Happen
ing the Hay Pauncsfote convention, if rat
lied by the Senate. would c!othe the dead
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty with life. and re-
vive in principle and every essential fea-
ture its whole obnoxious being. In short,
under the latest arrangement we sacrifice
everything and Great Britain gains every
ding. as usual. Regarded as a new and
Characteristic illustration of the triumph
Of British OYER American diplomacy. which
we have seen going on without a break
for almost century. no wonder the lead
ing opponents of the Lendon press are de-
lighted with what they call this victory
for Secretary Hay. few more such VIC
tories would restore us to the condition of
British colonies.
As we have frequently stated the propo-
stion. the American people desire and are
determined TO own, build. operate. fortify.
and defend the Nicaragua Canal as strictly
and exclusively a national enterprise.
When completed, it viii constitute for ali
practical purposes an essential part of our
coast line. II we did not fortify and de- |
fend the canal ii would furnish to any |
maritime power with which we might be at
war an ideal naval base for operations |
Unfortided and undefended by us. It would
In effect become the property of the strong
est naval power of the day anu whatever
nominal tenure of property or control we
might have in the premises would always
be subject to the will and warships of that
power. 1t would be far better to abandon
the project altogether and to leave the
isthmian barrier between the European
navies and our Western shores than to
crawl supinely after the executive branch
of our Government into such a palpable
and disgraceful trap.
Under the provisions of the Hay Paunee-
fote convention, the United States would be
allowed to bear all the expense OF building
operating and policing the Nicaragua
Canal. but at that point its privileges would
cease 1t would be compelled to preserve |
the waterway in condition of strict neu-
trality in peace and in war: would be for |
hidden TO fortify it, or even to close it to
the warships of an open enemy making war
upon the United States; and thus would |
he expected 10 facilitate the movements |
OF hostile fleet steaming from Liverpool |
for San Francisco with the purpose of bonn
harding that city. England in the alb |
sence OF land Notifications. and being the |
strongest naval power in the world. would |
be able at any time TO close the Nicaragua |
Canal TO US and to all the rest of man
kind. That she would do so on occasion
is rot to be doubted, if her unbroken past
is TO be regarded as any index TO her fu- |
ture policies and methods.
What the Hay Pauncefote convention |
presents for the acceptance of the United |
staes is too humilatIng and infamous for |
a free. independent. and first-clsss power |
10 consider in any possible light other than |
that OF IN outrageous insult. There is no
doubt that If is so looked upon by every |
Senator with a spark Of American manhood
in his brain or in his sword arm 1t should
he rejected with the eontemptuous indig-
nation il deserves.
Educational l-xpansion.
From time to time various cities report
the inadeuuacy of public school accommo-