The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-22

The senate has finally and by decisive
vote ratified the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
and with no such radical alterations in
It's language as to warrant the conclusion
that Great Britain viii refuse to accept
the changes made. The essential amend
ment is in the addition of the following
words:
1t is agreed. however, that none of the
Immediate foregoing conditions and stipu-
lations in sections numbered one, two,
three four and FIVE OF this article shall
apply to measures which the United
States may find 1t necessary TO take for
securing for its own forces the defense
Of the United States and the maintenance
Of public order.
This is identically the language used In
the treaty guaranteeing the neutrality of
the suez canal. executed between Great
Britain and the other powers at Constan-
tinople in 1885,
The British attitude. as exemplified by
certain OF the London papers, is undoubt-
eddy at the present time opposed to an
acceptance OF the amendments to the
treaty which the senate has insisted upon.
1t is quite likely that the British attitude
has been more or less Influenced by the
various radical and in some cases offen-
sively worded amendments which have
been suggested by certain senator's, rather
than by the amendment which has been
actually adopted. There is certainly moth
ing unreasonable, or unwarranted by the
situation. in the reservations as to the
rights OF the United States which the SEN
ate has wisely considered necessary to
incorporate into the treaty before giving
It approval. In using the language OF the
6uez treaty literally and exactly, the SEN
ate has shown an exact precedent for
the Interpolation. The reservations in the
Suez treaty were made for the benefit OF
Turkey. the suxerain OF Egypt. The inter-
ests OF the United States are even more
closely identified with the proposed ca
nal than were those OF Turkey in the
Suez canal. as Ii is intended to AFFORD d.
rect water communication between one
part OF the United States and another;
and moreover is to be built entirely at
the expense of the United States.
There will doubtless some little In
terval eapse before the decision Of Great
usage, under ordinary circumstances.
would justify this delay; and Great Brit
ain has right to stand somewhat upon
her dignity as regards the acceptance of
changes in a treaty the original making of
which was solicited by the United States:
by which Great Britain takes no greater
rights than she already has; and by which.
in fact. she makes important concessions
to the United States.
OF a Nicaragua canal is Of really more
commercial Importance TO Great Britain
than to the United states. In the present
unhappy condition OF American shipping
There may be some slight ruffling of the
British dignity In the amending OF a
treaty which that country has already
ratified; bit as Il Is not done in an Of
fensive form. as the language OF the
amendment, Is strictly IN accordance with
the presidents established in treaties COW
ering lnter-oceanIe waterways, and as the
natural right of the United States to pro-
tee, its own property interests cannot. ar
ter all. be seriously disputed, 1t Is safe
10 infer that the treaty as It has now
passed the senate VIII. In due time, and
without unreasonable delays. be accepted
by Great Britain.
Common deeenoy. Aownver. would
prompt that until Great Rritaln's final and
definite answer on the subject be made.
all legislation upon the canal proposition.
based upon the theory OF The abrogation
of the Clayton Buiwer treaty, should be
held ap.