The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-11
Mr.. Hays British Alliance.

Mr.. Hays British Alliance.
1t is a grave responsibility which the
United States Senate faces in connection
with the Hay Pauncefote Treaty. Rati-
ication Of that instrument will mark the
formal surrender and abandonment by this
country Of the Monroe Doctrine. That i'm
passable barrier 10 European aggression
and the establishment of subject European
States in this hemisphere will be removed,
Does the Senate wish TO exchange the
paramountcy OF the Republic in American
affairs and immunity from European in
reference in them. for the questionable
benefit of an alliance with Great Britain. If
any consideration of valuable or alleged
valuable character is contemplated in the
Hay Pauncefote Treaty it is such an al
lance; not definitely agreed upon and ex-
pressed in the text. but constructively
provided for. nevertheless.
II is now plain to be seen that the whole
policy and course of Mr.. Har since he be-
came Secretary of State has pointed TO the
goal which he seeks 10 reach by this
treaty. which. if ratified, would revive
every obnoxious feature of the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty. and at the same time sur
render every American principle, rule. and
claim through the steady and defiant
maintenance of which for eighty years we
have held America free and safe from the
designs and meddling propensities of the
Old World States. That goal is al
lance with Great Britain without the
necessity for formal convention to give
1t effect; because Mr.. Hay and his as
sociates in the scheme. whoever they may
be. thoroughly understand that TO ask
the Senate to ratify formal alliance with
the power named would be TO invite not
only an angry refusal, but such an out
burst of popular Indignation as might
easily sweep the Administration and the
Republican party into the sea next No
vember.
Mr. Hay appreciates this. Just as he does
the fact that the people of this country
are firmly welded to the Monroe Doctrine,
which. however. he admits if he does not
assert in his Hay Pauncefote Treaty, is
well worth sacrificing il thereby the main
object. that is. the British alliance, can be
secured and firmly established.
Now. ii may be possible that the Sen
ators who are relied upon by the Admin
istration TO bring about this British al
lance by their votes for ratification have
been favored with private information
concerning the advantages or benefits
which it is 10 confer upon whatever polit-
ical, corporate, or private interests are 10
be the benefeiaries of the arrangement.
Certainly there must be an important
quid pro quo for somebody in return for
the services of the United States in I'M
dertaking the expense of construction,
maintenance. and police of the Nicaragua
Canal for the benefit OF Great Britain, and
for our absolute surrender OF the Monroe
Doctrine What the remuneration will
consist OF, or who will get it, We have not
the remotest idea. At the same time
such questions will be asked by the people,
and 10 an uncomfortable extent. perhaps,
of their representatives in the Senate.
But that is an after consideration. For
the present it is only necessary 10 ask
American Senators il they think that the
price Mr. Hay asks them TO pay for
alliance with Great Britain is reason
able one or one that they can afford.