Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-14
TWELVE PAGES.
SATURDAY. APRIL IA 1900.
THE CANAL AND CANT"

II there were nothing else to be urged
against the Hay,Pauncefote treaty the
fact that 1t revives the Clayton Bulwer
treaty should be enough to condemn 1t
In the eyes of every American who be-
lieves In this governments minding
its own business and that without as
sistance from abroad. That un-Amer-
lean and detestable compact, binding
the United States to innction In mat
ters at its own doors as n considera-
tion for English abstention from land
grabbing on the peninsula. was coldly
and deliberately violated by England,
without excuse or meet provocation,
and has since been regarded as null and
void by every American statesman who
has found the inspiration of his senti-
ments in the American people rather
than nj the Court of st. James.
But the rehabilitation of the despised
and discredited Clayton Bulwer treaty
IS not the sole or chief objection to the
canal treaty 1t binds the United
States in case an isthmian canal is
constructed Ohough every dollar of it's
ury) to leave the canal unfortified, n
neutral waterway for the nations, and
therefore at the mercy of that nation,
or combinat ton OF nations. that can
muster the most powerful fleet. That
would mean that, so far from being
protection, the isthmian canal would
he an actual menace to the cities of
hnth nf M ut
When this danger is urged upon the
supporters of the Hay Pauncefote
treaty, what reply is given? That
the canal must be regarded from the
point of view OF peace. not of war;,
that the United States must "set the
example of giving to international
commerce great neutral highway"
Very pretty, very phianthropic. But
will this compensate the cities of the
Pacific coast that will be brought by
a neutral canal into striking distance
of an English fleet in Jamaican waters
and then left unprotected?
Surely there has been enough philan-
thropic cant in this country of late.
1t has made Americans the butt of the
worlds ridiculc. We started out to
wage a war of humanity" against
Spain. asking nothing In return but
the glory OF doing good; we have ended
by grabbing everything In sight; starry
ing those who came to us willingly. and
lbutchering those who have insisted that
they were worth more than Sc per head
gross. 1t Is time for a truce TO nom
sense. We are under no sort Of obliga-
tion to any nation (England least of
alD to supply 1t with n waterway across
the isthmus. free from American con-
troll. If England loves neutral water
ways so well, why is she continually
Strengthening Gibraltar? Does anyone
suppose for moment that If the con-
ditions were reversed, England would
construct the canal and then leave IT'S
control In doubt?
When the nations Of Europe cease 10
bankrupt themselves in the race for
naval supremacy, 1t will be time enough
Tor the United States to eXpend $780,
100000 for the benefit of international
commerce. and to lay itself open to
more effective blows from the sea.
Peace is nice, comfortable and greatly
20 be desired, but the best way to pro-
mote 1t is not, in the worlds present
frame Of mind and state of prepared
ness. to be found in exposing weak
places to a possible enemy. thereby in
wiling 1t to strike. If there be any
question as to what the worlds frame
4 pf mind is. the sufficient answer may
Be- 4cund In the fiasco OF the Peace