The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-14

view that no objection would be made to
our acquisition OF a strip across Nleara-
qua and Costa RIGA strictly for canal pur-
poses; but that assumption. we think. is
unwarran.ed by the circumstances and
conditions Of the case. Under the letter
Of this affirmation of the general
principle. of naturalization to which
England expects US to subscribe, we
could not acquire directly by pur-
chase or Indirectly by a leasehoid tan
tamount TO cult claim title, a single
square foot of land on the istkmus. now or
hereafter. whether for cana; or other pur-
poses, without first securing the consent
Of every other signatory to the Hay
Pauneefote Convention.
Our hands would be tied to the Euro
pean chariot in other ways Should We
at any time invoke the DAVIS amendment
and proceed to occupy the canal with
ships and troops, it is conceivable that
the Powers, on the Initiative of Great
Britain, might give US peremptery notice
that they did not consider such movements
as being contemplated in the clause per-
hitting US TO secure "the defence of the
United States and the maintenance OF pak-
lie order, They might contend that de
fence Of the Uni1sd States could not
properly be taken 10 mean such military
occupation of 8. part OF Central America
as had been prohibited in the Clayton
Bulwer Article Z; and that, as for public
order on the line of the canal it could be
maintained without interfering with lie
declared and sacred neutrality of the wa
terway.
IN short. by ratifying this noxious pro-
duet of international cunning and perfdy,
we should put our head in the lions
mouth, no matter how much the conven-
ton might be previously tinkered There
is not the slightest confidence to be put
in professions Of friendship and good faith
on the part of Power which is feverishly
terrifying against US at Vancouver. build
ing canals beyond our northern boundary,
admittedly as strategic bases against our
great lake cities, and steadily advancing
into and stealing our territory IN Alaska.
Archbishop Ireland on the Caateen.
In all the United States perhaps there
is not more vigorous, intelligent. expe-
Tienced. or persistent temperance reform
er than Archbishop Ireland. of st. Paul.
a total abstainer himself, he is noted
throughout the Northwest for the success
which has attended his efforts 70 make
true temperance the rule among his O.
religionists, and his attitude and work in
this connection have gained for him the
Of reform in his archdiocese irrespective
OF church Affiliations
Ar hbishop Ireland is not only famous
for Is services as a temperance sdvo-
cate but for the temperance OF his views
and methods. we recall the fact that
perhaps TWO decades ago, he threw the
weight of his position, influence and pres
tige in favor of high license as opposed
10 prohibition in the large cities of Min
nesOta; holding, we think justly, that the
cause Of temperance would be subserved
by few saloons in the hands of persons
financially responsible for any damage
their business might do TO individuals CT
the community. rather than by prohibi-
ton, which would surely lead 10 the birth
OF surreptitious, unlicensed whisky Gives,
and to the still greater evil of the jug
under the bed.
In connection with political and some
other matters. we have in times past
found occasion to criticise Archbishop Ire
land; bat any differences of that kind have
never detraeted from the admiration that
every honest and independent citizen
ought to feel for man so honest. earn
est, and fearless in his advocacy of a
great, and in many respects, an unpopular
cause. Personally no one could be more
extreme than this distinguished prelate in
the direction OF abstinence from intoxi-
eating or even only exhilarating bever-
ages. It is much to his credit thai he
also sets an example in the utter abser &c
Of fanaticism from his temperance propa-
ganda.
This was well demonstrated in the evi-
denee given by Archbishop ireland before
the Senate Committee on 5dilitary Affairs
yesterday. in reference 10 the army can
teen Wherever" he said the canteen
is abolished saloons of the worst de-
scription are established in close proxin-
ity to the post. where soldiers drink liq-
uors of inferior grade and are given an
opportunity to gamble and engage in OH
CT evil practices" This is exactly the
point that this journal has endeavored
to impress upon Congress ever since
the current epidemic of female Mysteries
made a question OF punitive legislation
out of a sensible and moral regulation of |
army administration That the Archb:sh- |
op is entirely right there can be no ques- |
ton. The army canteen is missionary |
of temperance It's abolition would re- |
suit in drunkenness. disorder. and gen
eral lowering of the present excellent |
morale Of our military service We |
greatly hope that his opinion on the sub |
ject viii be accepted and favorabIy acted /
upon by the Senate The opponent Of the
army canteen is a foe of temperance in |
the army.
Mr. Hanna on His Bill.