The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-21
New distractions to the cannr.

While the Davis amendment to the
I Hay-rauncefote Treaty has excited some
criticism on account OF its teXtual vague
ness and perhaps ambiguity. still in gen
eral the country has been disposed 20 ac-
cert Ct as at least the declaration OF a
determination on the part Of tho United
States to consider the Nicaragua Canal
as essentially a part Of The American
coast line. and as such to reserve the
right to prevent its use as a strategic
base for hostile operations against our
shores.
Because the Davis amendment il adopt
ed. would accomplish that much toward
reducing the exclusive control Of the ca
nal by Great Britain. which is plainly
contemplated in the treaty as it went 20
the Senate the change has naturally been
obnoxious 70 the views OF the State De-
partment and the British Foreign Office.
The joint diplomacy Of the two instltu-
tions has been actively at work 10 pre-
vent any alteration in their original
agreement. Pressure has been brought to
bear on all Administration Senators to
induce them to vote against the Davis
amendment. and American and British
diplomacy have Joined hands in coercing
the States Of Central America TO object
TO the same. We are now in position
10 see some Of the results Of this Nc
Kinley-Salisbury concert Of action.
It is strongly asserted by persons who
usually do the outside talking for The
State Department. that the little countries
Of the isthmus are prepared to protest
against the assumption Of any right by The
United States 10 take forcibie measures at
any time to protect its waterway OF the
coasts which might be attacked by its
means. by defending it with troops or
ships, or in any other way. What the
Central Americans want, according to the
ANONYMOUS high official and "distin-
guished diplomat" Of the inspired utter
ancss. is a canal built and paid for BY the
United States, bat 50 thoroughly neutral
lied" in times Of war as well as of peace,
that it will be always under the power and
control Of British fleets, and Of British
fortidcations in the adjacent waters
We have not the patience 10 seriously
discuss so nonseHsical a propositions No
doubt. the Governments Of Nicaragua.
Costa Rica. Guatemala. Honduras, ard
Salvador could be- and probably have
been. bullied into assuming an attitude
antagonistic TO the canal sentiment and
axed purpose Of tae American peop.e; hut
the result is so clearly fabricated oae
that It will not delude any intelligent
citizen OF this or any other country 1t
is not so easily forgotten that before the
Hay Paunoefote Treaty was sprung urcu
the Senate. after il had been approved N
advance b. all The Cabinets OF Europe, it
was notorious mat, in the hope that the
United states would undertake the pro
lection Of the isthmus from trans Atlantic
aggression. Nicaragua and COSTA Riea we're
willing and eager to lease or cede 10 IS
a strip Of territory from ocean to ocean
hat the canal and its environment m ght
be placed under the American flag and
sovereignty.
Among other things it was apparently
one object Of the -Pauneef5te Treaty
10 render such an arrangement impossible.
The agreement in question Of course had
many objects. and some of them no doubt
were Interior and are still concealed. How
long they may remain 50 is not given Us
TO know. but circumstances may soon oc-
cur which will compel the Administration
10 lift the veil OF mystery.