The evening times., 1900-02-09

The influence Of the President is being
demonstrated clearly in its effect upon the
ouestion OF the ratification Of the Hay
I'auncefote canal treaty. On Monday the
outburst Of opposition was so great that
Administration officials attempted to con-
ceal their belief that the convention VIII De
rejected. Now they are as confident in the
other way and nothing has taken place IN
the meantime to cause a change of senu-
ment except the efforts of the President
and Secretary of State to induce Senator'S
to see the matter in the proper light.
The sentiment Of the Senate so far as
it can be ascertained by surface indica-
lions, the only way of gauging it at pres
ent. as very few Senators are prepared TO
express an opinion for the reason that they
have none. seems to be favorable TO the
ratification of the treaty even without
amendment. Still it is a fact that there is
a strong opposition, although not cohesive
as vet. which will insist upon making sucn
alterations in the treaty as will ensure
genuine American control of the canal
should one be constructed. Another
faction of opposition which is opposed to
the treaty as whole, sees nothing in 1t
but a surrender of advantages to Great
Britain in return for nothing the United
States does not already possess
The first class OF opponents, VINO might
more properly be styled the critics Of the
treaty. are represented by Senator Hoar,
who. while praising the convention and
.c-ngr.ijulatiug Secretary Hay for his c,ean
DIPLOMACY in negotiating it, expresses the
oponion that it must be slightly amend
ed" in the direction of giving the United
states more absolute control. Mr.. Ho3r
lightly SAYS. however, that as Lord
Pauncefote, Secretary Hay, and the United
States Senate are all in Washington al
present, il Wlll be an easy matter 10 make
the necessary changes by unanimous con
sent.
Al least cne Republican Senator, an in
fluentiaI one. too. and member OF the
Foreign Relations Committee, who on
Monday was an earnest advocate OF an
amendment giving the United States ine
privilege of fOrtifying the canal and re
tanning absolute control of it, is now as
enthusiastically in fayCT Of ratifying tne
treaty as it stands.
This shows the power OF Administration
influence for none other has been eNerted
TO cause this Senator 10 change his llind-
Senator Ell5ins is quoted today as say
ing that the treaty will probably be fati-
fed. although he questions the advisabiliiy
of the provision granting Great Britain the
use Of the canal in time Of war. The COM
mittee win not report the treaty for some
time however perhaps not until after the
canal bill is disposed Of and much may
happen in the meantime TO change the
situation.
One point in the argument made by Sen
atOr Morgan al the meeting OF the Com
mitjee on Foreign Relations Wednesday
seems TO have been lost sight Of In speak
ing of the point whether or not the pro-
posed convention abrogates the Clayton
Bulwer treaty. Mr.. Morgan said that was
not important as England is now prevent
ed by the Monroe Doctrine. the force and
application of which she has admitted,
from assuming any control whatever in
this continent and that the question OF
fortifcations amounts 10 nothing, as our
warships can easily protect the canal In
considering the chances of the ratification
OF the treaty it must be borne in mind
that twO-thirds vote probably -, as the
Senate Stands-is necessary. Ii the vote
were taken today on the question Of raJi-
fcation without amendment il is extreme
IN doubtful if it would carry.