New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-16
CANAL COMPLICATIONS.


Our London correspondent, referring yester-
day TO the amendments TO the Hay-PauncefOte
Treaty, said it would be premature TO forecast
at this time the action of the British Foreign
Office; that much would depend upon the temper
in which Senators discuss the question and
upon the tone of the English press. Complete
knowledge of what goes on at executive ses
sions OF the Senate is not always Obtanable,
but there is as vet no public proof that they
have recently been characterized by displays of
an unbecomng spirit while our correspondent
reports that on the whole the tone of the Eng
lish press has been temperate, though The ST.
James's Gazette" In commenting on the adop-
ton of the Davis amendment uses the word
"impudent," and some other expressions quoted
in general dispatches from English papers are
not altogether just and judicious. contro-
yersy Of this sort inevitably tends TO develop
heat, but we hope II is reasonable TO expect that
no serious disturbance of good feeling and
amicable relations will result.
II would seem entirely unnecessary for Sena-
tors or private citizens of the United States TO
assume that a sinister purpose on the part of
the British Government is reflected In the treaty
agreed TO by its representative at Washington.
On the other hand English editors and public
men can ind no warrant for angry utterances
in the mere fact that the Senate has seen fit TO
modify that treaty. If they are not aware that
the Senate is part of the treaty making power
Of the United States they are not in a position
10 discuss the subject usefully. If they are
acquainted with that feature OF our govern
mental system they should not hastily conclude
that Senators are actuated by other than sin
cere. patriotic and friendly motives in their
treatment of an international convention to
fo1a l.
ton. The British Government has always been
extremely alert, determined and exclusive in
dealing with the affairs committed to it's charge.
and has not only challenged bat generally won
the respect of other nations by that attitude. If
there ever was a time when less eager con-
Germ for its own interests could be safely at
tributed TO this country that time has passed.
Traditional resentments may still animate
some American politicians. but il remains to be
proved that such a temper has found express
sion in the amendments made and proposed to
the Hay-Pauncefote observation-disclosures which
are possibly needless and unwlse. Ii is not
necessarily or we believe Intentionally dis
courteous 10 Great Britain for Senators TO in
sist upon their adoption; nor would ii be an un.
friendly act if, in case Of the rejection of the
treaty so modified, the Government of the
United States should move In the proper way
for the abrogation of the Clayton Bulwer Treaty
on the ground that II is and always has been a
hindrance 10 the construction of an isthmian
canal Referring 10 the possibility that the
Hay-PaIncefote Treaty in an amended form
might be rejected by the British Government
we expressed the opinion the other day that il
would then be incumbent upon the Government
OF the United States 10 consider the advisabilitv
of denOuncing the Clayton Bulwer Treaty .sin
accordance with the conditions prescribed for
Its termination" The words quoted should
not have have been used inasmuch as the pro-
vision contained in Article V of The CLAYTON
Bulwer Treaty for the withdrawal OF protection
and guarantee by both or either of the contract
ing parties. on six months notice is limited TO
specified contingencies, and does not contem-
plate the abrogarion of the treaty under such
circumstances as now exist But the United
States is certainly not precluded from under
taking 10 get wholly rid of a treaty which has
defeated Its own purpose, whether or not the Ad-
ministration considers this country 10 be bound
Indefinitely by an agreement which Great Britain
is firmly believed 10 have violated already II.
as now seems likely. that course Is 10 be nre-
scented for the adoption of our Government If
Is most desirable that no unnecessary embar-
easements should be- caused by intemperate M
terances on either side Of the Atlantic
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