The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1900-02-15
Toaday Congressman Claim it to Be
Necessary.
IF NICARAGUA CANAL IS BUILT
Dissatisfaction Over Knuckling to the Lion
through Agreement Not to Fortify.

Special Washington Correspondence to Signal.
The signing of the Hay -Pauncefote
treaty abrogating the old Clayton
Bulwer treaty so as to permit the
United States to ''build, operate,
maintain and control" trans-isth-
mian canal undoubtedly marks a
long step towards the undertaking of :
that work by this country At the
same time, the treaty as executed is
by no means satisfactory. 1t pledges
both countries to observe the neutral
ity of the canal under all circum-
stances but it also binds the United
States not to fortify either the en-
frances or the approaches. In other
words, the United States is to build the
canal and then to permit its enemies
free passage in time of war This
hardly seems fair, even supposing
the strictest neutrality were main
tanned. But who believes that it
would be maintained? Without
Notifications, the canal would, if the
United States were at war; be
at the mercy of the strongest naval
power If we were at war with
Great Britain, for instance Gas we
have been twice and may be again
despite the present friendliness) the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty would lapse to-
gether with all other treaties between
the two countries, and the canal
would be seized by the English fleet,
admittedly far superior to the
American, and held against us.
British ships would pass through to
harry both our coasts and American
ships could not do so to defend them.
Speaking of fortifying, Representa-
tive Hepburn, of Iowa, who drew the
, canal bill, said yesterday: ''We
will not modify the provision of the
bill now pending, requiring the canal
to be fortified We will not put in
to the enterprise the enormous capital
| Of S130, 100000 or $40, 600, 600
without having the distinct under
) standing that we will furnish suf-
: ficient protection to guard the prop
erty under all emergencies. There
was great deal said in favor Of the
isthmian canal during the war with
Spain, and people from one ocean to
the other lamented that the water
way had not been constructed so that
the Oregon might have had the short
cut to join SIMPSONS fleet, and not
been forced to make the long cruise
many precious days and weeks when
the safety of the country seemed
imperiled. Suppose the canal had
been in operation and not fortified,
do you think the Oregon would have
been brought through it under even
the most pressing conditions? No,
empatically no; we would not
have attempted it. J"
A movement is on foot to largely
increase the number of sub-treasuries
in the country. At present there
are nine of these in operation locat-
ed at Chicago, New York, Boston,
Philadelphia, st Louis, San Francis
co, New Orleans, Baltimore and Gin
cinnati. 1t is proposed to establish
new ones at Omaha, Kansas City,
!. Minneapolis, Denver, Seattle, De-
troit, Buffalo, Atlanta, and Savannah
The principal object seems TO be to
20 provide additional patronage for con-
r gressmen, although certain benefits
T. would probably accrue to the towns
In where the sub treasures are located.
n These institutions are for the purpose
TX of receiving and disbursing govern
= ment funds and are really nothing