The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-13
TREATY RATIFICATION.

There is now pending before the senate
number of treaties that ought to be
ratified. The Hay-Pauncefote treaty
heads the list, followed by the reciprocity
treaties which were hung up at the last
session Of congress for political reasons.
Among these are the treaties with
France, Argentine republic, Ecuador
Nicaragua and the Dominican republic
There are also similar conventions with
Great Britain on behalf of Trinidad, and
with Denmark on behalf of ST. Crox
These commercial treaties were all
postponed until after election, because
the party leaders feared the opposition Of
workings Of the treaties.
No one questions the fact that the
treaties make for the best interest of
the nation at large, and that the advan-
tage gained will be in the line of in
creased foreign markets. with but slight
increase of competition from few arti-
cles of raw material admitted free of
duty.
1t would seem to an unprejudiced on
locker that Secretary Hay, in his diplo-
matte capacity, has been great success.
The new position assumed by the United
States in world politics rendered the work
of the state department particularly try
ing. 1t was a delicate matter to guide the
new diplomatic ship among the reefs of
ancient precedent and not strike a rock
somewhere. To his credit, be it said, that
Secretary Hay has kept the United States
to the front, as a world power, without
ostentation and with few, if any, blum
ders. 1t is up to the senate now to sus-
tain him and add to his record by rati-
flying the treaties which are now be-
fore it.
The commercial conventions, which were
concluded under the fourth section of the
Dingley tariff act, and which are men,
toned above should be ratified without
a weeks further delay
AS to the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, we
see no adequate reasons for it's rejection
by the senate, nor for the Davis amend
ment. If there are no other vital objec-
lions to the treaty (and none have been
offered, it should be ratified at once
Leaving out of the question the con-
siderations calling for a speedy construc-
ton of an isthmian canal; ignoring the
treaties which have been arranged with
Nicaragua and Costa Rico, looking to the
same end; eliminating the complications
that may arise should the British gov
eminent reject the amended treaty, there
are still ample and sufficient reasons for
I it's ratification as it now stands
The treaty making power of the United
States lies in the executive branch of
| the government, with a power of veto
lodged in the senate. This power of mega
ton over an act that has been solemnly
performed by the executive, acting with
in constitutional limits should never be
used unless the senate be convinced that
the honor or the safety of the nation is
at stake
Do the terms of the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty raise such a presumption? We
think not. The fortifying of the proposed
canal is more of a sentiment than a
national necessity.
! We want this canal for commercial
! purposes and for naval convenience in
| times of war. If we are not at war. We
should have no objections to other ma
tons at war using our canal-we no
! doubt would encourage it. If it is not
neutral canal, but controlled and forti-
fed by the United States, the laws of
neutrality will compel us to forbid it to
all belligerents in times Of war.
Should we be so unfortunate as again
to engage in war with nation possessing
a navy, we could ask nothing better than
that our enemy enter this canal with his
| f1eet-no matter what his purpose The
result would be a repetition of the de-
struction of the Spanish fleet at Santiago.
A nation at war with the United States,
| attempting to pass its fleet through such
a canal unfortifed. would only invite an
utilization.
1t does not matter to US, now, whether
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty was dip
lomatic error or not. 1t was, in effect,
when supplemented by the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty. and the nation owes some