The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-17

John r. Proctor, President of the United
last night in the Law Hall of the School of
Comparative Jurisprudence and Diplomacy
Of the Columbian University. His theme
Of discussion was the Clayton Bulwer ard
Hay Pauncefote treaties. The spacious
auditorium was well filled with an aud
fence mainly composed of Young men and
women. students OF the university. who
followed Mr.. Procter's discourse with close
attention.
THE growing interest ia the Nicaragua
Canal said Mr., PIoeter brings again into
prominence the celebrated Clayton Bulwer
Treaty, which has been source OF diplo-
matte discussion between this country and
Great Britain for many years. The now
celebrated treaty was theL reviewed from
the time when Great Britain had assumed
a protectorate over a tribe of Indians &C.
cupying the Mosquito Coast, and hal
claimed for these Indians or for their gov
eminent, at the head of which was a
king" styled by the agents OF Great
Britain His Mosquitian Majesty all of
the coast from the mouth of the San Juan
River northward for five hundred mites
including the harbor, since called Grey
town, and in June, 1913, had asserted this
claim by taking possession of the harbor
and sending an expedition up the san
Juan River and capturing. after a sharp
engagement, Castelle, on that river.
Mr.. Proctor said that on November s.
1919, Abbott Lawrence Informed Lord Pal
merston that he had been instructed by the
President TO enquire whether the British
Government intends to occupy or colonize
Nicaragua Costa Rica, the Mosquito Coast,
so called, or any part of Central America.
Mr.. Abbott said ne had also been instructed
to enquire whether the British Governm mt
will unite with the United States in guar
anteeing the neutrality of a ship canal
railway. or other communication to be
opened to the world, and common to all
nations.
Lord Palmerston answered that the Eng
lish Government did not intend to occupy
or colonize Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the
Mosquito Coast. or any part of Central
America. With regard to Mosquito no "
ever, close political connect on has .x-
listed between the Crown OF Gfeat Britain
and the State and Territory Of Mosquito
for period of about two centuries but
the British Government does not claim |
over Mosquito. Lord Palmerston
said that the British Government wou'd |
feel great pleasure in combining and co. |
operating with the Government of the /
United States for the purpose of assisting |
the operations of any company which may |
be formed with a view of establishing q !
commercial communication by canal or all
way.
The negotiations thus commenced at :he |
instance Of this Government led to the /
celebrated Clayton Bulwer Treaty. signed
Anrll 10 1SIn chic ha
nents declare that neither the one nor the
other viii ever obtain or maintain for
tself any exclusive control over the said
ship canal, agreeing that neither will ever
any Notifications commanding
The same. nor viii either use any protec-
tiol which either affords or may afford. !
1r any alliance which either has or may
have with any State or people for the
purpose of erecting any fertilization or
occupying Costa Rica, Mosquito Coast, or
any part of Central America. or of as
iumng or exercising dominion over the
same"
Mr.. Proctor described tie several diplo-
matte phases and contentious which this
reaty underwent. He said that in his
opinion the Bulwer-Clayton Treaty is still
n force: it cannot be abrogated by one
'arty without the consent of the other.
dr. Proctor went on 10 prove that the
Hlteu states cannot DEFEND the canal,
lnless they can do so through the ocean
( the treaty is defeated ny the United
states, they would thus compel the great
maritime countries to build the Panama
anal for their protection. We are nearer
o this canal than any other power. our
ieets ran reach the canal in less time
han those of other nations. We have |
nder the treaty the right to police the
anal with ships and soldiers. which in
tself is a great advantage. We have
verything TO gain by an unrestricted com .
nerce, by an open door in South
america.
Should we decide to build 4 canal to be
ontrolled by the United States and form
part of our coast line We will require
dditional treaties with Costa Rica and
'icaragua, an extension Of railway from
iexico to Nicaragua with the right TO
transport troops in time of war-amount
ng to a practical annexation of Mexico |
nd Central America: the building of
eet equal TO that Of any two European
owers. and a preparation for war with |
wo great commercial powers OF the
torld."
In conclusion. Mr.. Proctor said: IF we
lose the door in Central America we can =.
r. must be consistent. Secretary HAY has |
chieved one OF the greatest diplomatic
riumpbs OF the century in connection
18th his open door policy--China."
Mr.. Proctor WAS frequently applauded .
nd received the thanks Of the faculty after
he conclusion OF his very interesting lee