The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-12
SENATE CONSIDERS
NICARAGUA CANAL.
Executive Session Confined to Dis
cussion of Pending Treaty and
Kindred Matter.

WASHINGTON, Dec. u-There were
no set speeches on the Hay,Pauneefote
treaty in the executive session OF the
senate today. Such discussion as there
was consisted of questions and answers
directed toward clearing up doubt con-
corning the effect of the treaty generally
regarding. the status of the United States
in Central America
This exercise was opened by Senator
Beveridge who did not announce his own
views. but asked for information as TO
the effect of the ratification of the pend
ing agreement on three points. The first
of these related to the provisions of the
acquisition of territory. He wanted to
know, with reference to that article,
whether 1t still would be in effect so far
as 1t prohibits, the United States from
acquiring territory in Central Americ
Secondly, he desired information as to
whether in case the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty should be ratified by the United
States and then accepted by say twenty
other nations, it could be modified without
the consent of all the signatory powers.
His third inquiry related to the right of
hostile nations to station ships in the vi
entity of the canal, in case of its con-
struction under the ay-Pauncefote
agreement
In presenting his inquiries. Senator Bev-
eridge referred to a portion of the second
article OF the Clayton-Bulwer agreement,
basing his first question largely upon it.
Referring to that article of the old
treaty, he said that it not only appeared
but to prohibit fortification and to stand
in the way of either Great Britain or the
United States acquiring territory IN Cen
trail America. This clause had raised a
doubt in his mind. as he believed it had
in the minds of others, and he thought 1t
should be cleared up.
Opposing Views Are Held.
Replying TO the first of these inquiries,
opinion, under the pending treaty, the
United States would be stopped from ex-
tending its domain into Central American
territory, as the new negotiation. did not
abrogate that portion of the old treaty.
Senator Foraker expressed the opposite
View, saying that unquestionably the
United States could extend her domain
into that region IL il 50 desired, Just as
England had done in taking possession
Of the Mosquito coast The Ohio senator
replied affirmatively to question from
Senator Mason, as to whether the United
States could acquire and annex a South
American country. as we have annexed
Hawaii, with the complete assent of the
country coming under our protection. but
on this point Senator Lodge differed with
his colleague.
Mr.. Lodge said that under the new
treaty, we, as nation, Of course, would
he allowed to secure and hold pronerty
In connection with the canal but not to
extend our territory in the region Of the
proposed waterway. In reply to other
questions. he said that he did not believe
that under the Hay Pauncefote treaty,
even as u was proposed to amend it,
there would be any authority to fortify
the canal permanently. He did believe,
however. that under that instrument as
II was desired by the foreign committee to
amend IT, there were ample provisions for
the defense of the canal by the American
people.
senator Lodge also agreed that n other
powers should assent formally to the
agreement between the United States and
Great Britain, the consent of all to the
modification or ahrogation of the treaty
would be necessary.
Senator Teller announced his intention
to formally offer his amendment which
he has already suggested striking out
the provision of the treaty prohibiting the
fertilization of the canal. Senator Pen
rose announced his opposition TO the new
treaty without the Teller amendment