The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1900-12-23


to pretty thoroughly understand, and
the people will not permit much fur.
Their delay. The stalking ghost Of the
old Clayton-Bulwer treaty has long
enough impeded this great enterprise
upon which the American people have
set their hearts. In the opinion OF
many statesmen of both parties, past
and present. this treaty ought to have
been abrogated years ago. as the rea-
sons for its PRONUNCIATION long ago
ceased to exist. The only reason for
such convention was that at the time
1t was entered into in 1850 Great Brit
ain claimed certain rights in the Mos
quito Coast by reason of a sort Of pro-
tectorate she had assumed over the
Mosquito Indians. Years ago this rath-
er indefinite protectorate came to a
formal close. and Great Britain con-
cluded a treaty with Nicaragua by
which she formally resigned whatever
rights she may have had In that quar-
ter. Thus many American statesmen
and dipiomatists. among them Secreta-
ry Evarts and Secretary Blaine. dur
ing their connection with the state de-
partment. have held that there was no
occasion for the continuance of the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty and that 1t
should be abrogated. Had this been
done there would have been no occa-
sion for the Hay-Pauncefote agree
ment. and the diplomatic complications
which 1t brings into the canal question
would have been obviated. We would
then have had to deal only with the
parties in interest-Nicaragua and Cos
to Rica-through portions of whose ter
ritory the canal will pass.
1t may be recalled that the Clayton
Bulwer treaty was strongly denounced
by the senate committee on foreign re-
lations in 1890. which was composed Of
the following eminent statesmen: John
Sherman. George +. Edmunds, William
p. Frye, William NJ. Evarts, Joseph N.
Dolph, John T. Morgan, Joseph E.
Brown, Henry y. Payne and James B.
Eustis. two of whom. Messrs. Frye
and Morgan. are members of the pres
ent committee. After stating In vigOr-
Gus terms their premises and showing
how in 1862 Great Britain had deliber-
ately violated the treaty. the committee
concluded that "the Unit
ed States is at present under no obli-
cation. measured either by the terms
Of the convention. the principles Of
public law or good morals. to refrain
from promoting. i'm any way that it
may deem best for its just interests.
the construction of this canal without
regard to anything contained in the
OF 1850"
Both Nicaragua and Costa RIGA want
the canal almost as much as does the
United States and have instructed their
ministers 20 enter into treaty arrange
nents for its construction through
heir territory. They desire, however,
hat all outside diplomatic complica-
ions should first be disposed of. Both
Minister Corea and Minister Calvo
ave lately expressed in very enthu-
Iiastic terms their satisfaction over
he prospect that work is likely to
begin before many months on the |
'reat enterprise. which they fully rec
'gniZe will bring much prestige and |
Material benefits to the little repub. |
les which they represent. Referring to |
he project, Minister Corea said the |
Ither day:
II spent some time in conference
With the president and members of the |
abinet at Managua. and | am happy
o say that President Zelaya and his
and. in fact. the whole
ountry, are enthusiastic on the future
{ the great waterway which will con-
ribute so greatly to the commerce Of
be world. They are awaiting with
Teat interest the developments TT
Washington and are hopeful and con-