The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-02
our power to abrogate 1t by legislation in
consistent with its continuance"
shack Chords RensOn for OppOsinE.

our power to abrogate it by legislation in
consistent with its continuance"
shaclxelford's Reason for Opposing.
Shackelford. who made the minority re-
port in favor of an additional section pro-
viding that the canal should not be built
If the Hay-Pauncefote treaty was ratified,
said he was earnestly in favor or the
canal, but great as it's benefits to the
American would be, there was one ques-
ton dearer to the American heart-the
Monroe doctrine. No exigency. should
which would always be our shield against
foreign Entertainments. IT England was
TO have the benefits of the canal, why
should 1t be built with American money!
Arguments for the Canal.
Lowering said the time for discussion
had passed. The desire Of the American
people for the canal was unanimous, the
feasibility of the route was proved, and
construction that we might reach S0,Ooo,O00
people in the Orient cheaply.
Ransdel made general argument in
favor of the Immediate construction OF a
canal, and was followed by Fletcher in
opposition.
Fletcher Wants to Wait.
The commission appointed by the last
congress, he said. had made an exhaustive
investigation. He did not believe the and
ings OF the commission should be fore
stalled. He and his constituents favored
the canal, but premature action was u l
desirable At the next session. when the
commissioners report was before con-
gress, action should be taken for the build
ing of an American canal
Burton's Reasons for Opposing.
:, Burton, who was one of the leaders of
II Yield to no one in my desire for the
early connection of the two oceans by an
lsthmian canal. but this measure does not
provide the business methods of accom-
piishing II. 1t ignores solemn treaties. 1t
commits us to one route when the ad-
vantages of all routes should be consider
al "A tel Mt
were to engage in business enterprise it
ought to go about 1t in businessikc way.
II we were definitely committed. to the
Nicaraguan route Nicaragua and costa
Rica would fix an extortionate price for
right-of-way and nonconcessions
Why 1t should He Neutral.
He laid special stress upon the argu-
ments that the canal should be neutral
ment advocated neutral channels, but had
done so particularly with reference to an
isthman canal Beginning with Henry
favored equal privileges to all nations He
maintained that the. Clayton-Bulwer treaty
was adopted rather upon our insistence
than that Of Great Britain and that It is
still as binding as any treaty or statute Of
the United States, however much 1t night
be assailed.
As a solution of the whole matter he
les with the governments through which
the different routes for canals NAV go,
obtaining options on right-of-way and con-
cessions and the postponement of the Sc
lection OF the route until next Decembe-
AT another point Burton said
Nothing else. than a neutral canal g In
nothing else Is in accord with our con-
science and benefit in managing It. Moth
ing else is in accordance with the safety
with which 1t can be maintained We in
sisted on the removal of the sound dues
and the naturalization of the channels
near Denmark although they were within
49,
upon the naturalization Of Mage'and
strait. We insisted upon the neutra'iza-
ton of the St Lawrence river in that
Canadian terrItory we e' granted and f'u re-,
ceived the neutral and equal use OF the
great canals on the Canadian border which
Is maintained to this. time. We have
Decatur and cambridge against the Bar
barry pirates did not inure to our benefit
alone. but to the whole world. We cannot
afford to lie down upon this record To-
day the administration has obtained from
the powers OF Europe assurance of AN open
door IN China, diplomatic triumph. Does
no one see the hunor that appears IN ask
ing those concessions there and vet pro-
posing to close the waterway between the
two. oceans to the other nations of the
world?"
Hepburn insisted that this government
specially refused to participate in the
series of treaties that secured the neutral
ization of the Suez canal being the only
nation that specifically did refuse to do
that.
Burton responded that the refusal was
not at all because We were opposed to the
principle of naturalization but was be-
cause IL involved an implication of psrtici-
patton in the affairs OF the Eastern hemi-
sphere in which we did not wish to en-
gage.
CorIiss Answers Burton.
Corliss answered some of the suggestions
of Burton. He insisted that II should be
strictly an American canal and that there
no occasion TO delay the authorize
lion until after the Walker commission
made its report.
nit Opposes the Bil.
Hit opposed the bin on account OF the
provision for the construction of the canal
after obtaining from Nicaragua and Costa
Rica fun control over the territory Though
which IL passed. The provision, he said.
was In contravention OF the Clayton bul-
wer treaty which he maintained was in
force, The faith of the nation was pledged
in that treaty. 1t had been entered into
largely at cur own solicitation. He be-
lieved we had the right during the lfties
Central America 10 notify her that she was
violating the treaty and that IL she per-
sisted the treaty was abrogated Instead
of that we refused TO abrogate, Great Bri-
remained In force. Mr.. Freylingnuysen
was the only secretary Of state who had
ever maintained that the treaty was mot
Hit used strong words in his denuncia-
ton of the attempts to violate the Clay
disregard Of the moral law and an at
tempt to commit the American peopleato
open perjury"
Cannon Also Against 1t.
Cannon concluded the debate of the aft
ernoon with a brief but vigorous sneech
against the bill He was In favor OF the
canal, but said Il was his duty as n Re-
publican TO see that the canal VAS con-
structed as economically and early as pos
sible.
During the last session congress appro-
priated N,o00000 for the investigation OF