Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-07
Terms Of the New British Treaty
Likely to Be Altered.
FORTIFICAHI0N OF The CANAL
Senator Morgan Addresses the
Foreign Relations Committee.
STATE DEPARTMENTS VIEW

negotiated treaty with England regarding
the Nicaragua canal. The discussion was
animated. While some opposition was
manifested, 1t was not of such a character
as to indicate the defeat of the treaty, but
that 1t will be amended there seems to be
little doubt.
one OF the amendments proposed Is that
the Whole of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty
snail be abrogated. 1t is said by members
OF the committee favoring this change that
there Is no need of keeping alive any por-
ton of the old treaty.
Another change suggested Is in regard to
the protection of the canal. The treaty de-
clares there shall be no Notifications, and
IT Is said this will prevent the United
states from erecting batteries which are by
some considered absolutely necessary in
view OF the instructions that occur from
Tune to time In South American countries
IL is possible that this language will be
modnled so that such protection as the
United States deems necessary may be af-
forded along the route of the canal
Nearly the entire session of the commit
tee was consumed in listening to an elab-
thoroughly familiar with the subject of
the Nicaragua canal proposition and all
treaties affecting it. There was little or no
expression of opinion from other senators
save that II was very important subject
and would need careful consideration,
Mr.. Hay Took the Initiative,
1t is learned that the text of the treaty
was the work OF the State Department; the
British government accepted the document
just as 1t was drawn, 50 the responsibility Y
1or Whatever is contained in the treaty and
the form in which it is expressed is charge
able entirely to the department, Consider
q r &C fr,-t
teW years for the building of an isthmian
canal under the auspices of the United
states. the department officials are some
what surprised at the amount of criticism
that has been directed against the treaty
within the short period Of time in which it
mas been before the public. Nevertheless
they feel confident that the treaty will re
consum1nated. providing 1t is not amended,
ana especially not amended as to the forti-
6cation clause.
The Presidents Attitude.
1t is insisted by the officials that an
amendment would completely defeat the
treaty, and the intimation is that the OBJ
lection will be twc-fold, first from the Brit
ish government. and second, from the Pres
ident himself The President is said to re-
gard the naturalization scheme as complete
ly obviatins the necessity for any fortifica-
tons for tho canal for, by the terms of
that arrange nent which will be completed
soon after the ratification OF the treaty.
every one of the maritime powers will
pledge Itself TO use Its army and navy If
need be to preserve the absolute neutrality
OF the canal, and Notifications will be un-
necessary.
Attention has been called to a statement
that no matter what difference of opinion
may have existed up to this time as to
the living force of the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty, all doubt on that point has been
removed by the signature of the Hay
n,,
executive branch of the United States gov
eminent formally recognized the existence
or Clayton-Bulwer treaty. 1t Is said
to make no difference whether or not the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty is ratified by the
Senate; the executive branch of the gov
ernment, to which alone foreign govern
ments may look, has gone on record.
Obligations Toward Nicaragua.
Secretary Hay Is determined that the
State Department shall observe with the
most scrupulous fidelity whatever obliga.
tions may rest upon 1t toward Nicaragua
and Costa Rica, in the matter of the con-
struction of the Nicaraguan canal It is
held that 1t has not been possible to move
In that matter pending the removal Of the
obstacle in the way Of canal building pre-
sented by the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. There
has not been the slightest disposition to
ignore the governments of our sister re-
publics in the matter, but in view of the
dignified to make overtures to them before
the United States had acquired the power
to deal with free hand with the canal
problem so far as Great Britain was con-
cerned. Now, however, the department
will address itself to the governments of
Nicaragua and Costa Rica looking to the
requirement Of whatever privileges are
deemed essential to the construction of the
canal and its operation.
Address to the Maritime Powers.
as the Senate shall have ratified the treaty
rnd the ratifcations shall have been ex-
changed. the department will address iden-
teal notes to the great maritime powers
of the whole world to secure their adhesion
to the project for the perpetual neutraliza-
tion of the canal
Pure hase of the Danish West Indies.
The State Department officials are dis
creetly silent respecting the mooted prop
osition to purchase the Danish West Indian
Islands for a coaling station. Pending the
adoption Of an isthn1ian canal act, nothing
official has been done toward the acquisi-
ton of these islalds, for it is only in con-
nection with an isthmian canal that they
would acquire large Importance as possess
sion of the United States.
1t Is gathered, however, that something
has been done in quiet way by the gov
ernment in anticipation of the adoption OF
the canal project by Congress. The pur-
pose has been double one. first, to secure
an advantageous option from Denmark,
and second to procure information as to
the possibility Of acquiring these islands
to meet the inquiries Of the committees Of
Congress which will have to do with the
bill. Most Of the 'feelers' in that direc-
ton have been thrown out in Europe, and
there Is good authority for the statement
that not much difficulty will be experienced
by the governments Of the United States
and Denmark In reaching an agreement
satisfactory to both sides soon after the
necessary legislation is secured from Con-
gresS.
On the Pacific Side.
Efforts made to secure like facilities on
the Pacific side of the isthmus have not
been attended with as much promise. A
station on the Galapagos Islands would Of
fer the best geographical location, but such
overtures as have been made toward the
government of Ecuador have developed a
truly American aversion to the surrender
of the smallest speck of territory, no mat
ter how valueless to the owner and useful
to the would-be purchaser. Still, the case
is not altogether hopeless. and failing one
of the Galapagos Islands there are other
resources which the government has in
mind that are sure to yield the necessary
accommodations.