The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-10
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
IAN Indefen.ibIc rre.sy.y


in return "the exclusive right of providing
for the regulation and management OF the
canal" 1t can fix and collect the tolls,
and II the revenues do not cover the ex-
penses of operation 1t can make appropria-
lions TO meet the deficit But while per-
mitted TO build the canal AID manage IL,
the United States will not BE- permitted TO
protect it. 1t will not be allowed TO erect
Notifications along the canal. The clause OF
the Clayton Bulwer Treaty which forbids
that being done is not atrogated. 1t is given
full force by this proposed recognition OF
the binding obligation OF a treaty which
so many American statesmen have con-
tended has lapsed.
Should the United States be involved in
war with some naval power the canal the
former has built and is to maintain is to
be as free to the warships OF its adversary
as its own. That foreign power can. il it
chooses, use the canal as a short cut to
reach and ravage the Pacific Coast and
Pacific islands of the United States BY
the Hay Pauncefote Treaty the United
States and Great Britain unite In guaran-
teeing a neutrality which may cost the
former dear and they contract to bring
their agreement 10 the notice Of other
powers and invite them to adhere to ii.
The American people will have none OF
these things. They have too much respect
for the Monroe Doctrine to permit their
Government to invite foreign governments
to unite with 1t in guarantees concerning
an exclusively American waterway. They
prefer that their Government should retain
the whole matter exclusively in its own
| hands, Just as IL the canal were within
its own territory.
The American people are not distressed
! by the cost OF the proposed canal They
are rich enough to expend s150,o00,000 or
more on II, and they will not feel bank
| rupted II 1t does not earn the interest on
its cost. They are not thinking OF build
| ing that canal as a money making specu-
lation, nor with any benevolent design Of
adding to the commercial facilities OF for
| eign nations. They believe its construc-
ton will benefit American trade, but they
look on it mainly ip the light OF a work OF
national defence, which will be OF inesti-
mable value in times of war.
That canal will unite the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts OF the Ua,'ed States. 1t will
make possible the swift transmission OF
American warships from one ocean TO the
| other To say that that American canal
should not be fortified IL its fertilization is
| deemed advisable by the United States Is
| to put the canal at the mercy OF any in
! imicai power. II the free use OF the canal
| is granted to the warshps OF an enemy
| this country will be furnishing to its foes
/ facilities at great cost for carrying on war
! against 1t. The United States will not be
| so Quixotic as that.
! The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty, being in
/ derogation OF the Monroe Doctrine and dan
| gerous to the national welfare in times Of
I war should not be ratified. Americans
4 have arrived at the conclusion that they
| must build the Nicaragua Canal rather
| for national security than for its CONNER
| cial uses. Therefore IL must be exclusively
| under American control. and not at the
service of the enemies Of the United States
when they are waging war against it,
..The Backbone OF the Monroe Doc
| trine.v
! (From tie Chicago Times Herald Administration
Republican.)
II is very sweet and commendable in the
I British diplomats TO hold up the neutrality
| of the Suez Canal as an object lesson as to
! how this nation should neutralize the
Nicaragua Canal-but it is also devilish
sly and crafty.
The history and geography of that great
| waterway show British diplomacy and
power at its best. The plan was preached
! by NJ de Lesseps in 1852. The consent Of
the Egyptian, Turkish. Russian. French.
and Austrian Governments was obtained.
Germany did not count in those days, and
the British Government held aloof. A
company was formed and the work COM
menced in 1855 by an English contractor.
The cost was estimated at s40.00O000.
The canal was formally opened in 1870.
In 1874 the British Government acquired
for $40. 400, GOO the 1862 shares of the
Khedive.
From the date OF this purchase the Suez
I Canal became an English ditch.
England declared its neutrality In 1871.
A glance at the map shows that this
neutrality places the control of the Suez
Canal in the Lions jaws as completely as
though it were fortified from Port Said to
the Indian Ocean.
The Mediterranean Sea has long been
known as the greatest of the English
lakes.
Gibraltar British commands its en-
trance and Cyprus BRITISH guards its
western end. not 300 miles from Port Said.
Malta, in the middle of the Mediterra-
mean. is in the direct line OF travel from
I Gibraltar and all points east Of Italy to
the Suez Canal.
Crete. which has been paeifed by British
troops and is the rendezvous OF British
warships. blocks the entrance to the Oar
danelles, and is only days sail from Port
Said.
ritory all the way. and all the world knows.
and Europe cannot forgive. the relations
that exist between Egypt and England.
Now sake a glance at the other entrance
to the canal at the southern extremity OF
the Red Sea. Perrin Island. right in the
neck Of the bottle. is British. and not 100
miles away is the port and fortress of
Aden which dominates the whole situa-
ton.
AS II this were not enough to make the
neutrality of the Suez Canal satisfactory TO
John Bull. the entire southern coast of the
Gulf Of Alden with its chief port. Berbera,
is British protsctorate-
Squat at both entrances of the seas
which are connected by the Suez Canal.
/ John Bull has fortified its neutrality so
effectually that he dcfles the whole con-
cert Of Europe.
But even such fortified neutrality of
the Nicaragua Canal will not satisfy the
| United States.
AS it stands the Isthmus of Panama is
a part Of the coast defences OF the United
States 1t is a barrier protecting our Pa
cihc Coast.
II gives to the United States the domi-
mating voice in the destinies Of this hem
isphere.
1t is the backbone of the Monroe Doc
trine.
II this barrier is cut the tniteu states
will demand and enforce its control. rot
by the leave of England, not through the
consent of Europe. but in virtue Of its
dominance on this continent
An American Canal or None.
From the Boston Globe cmocrat)
Many people will agree with Senator
| Hoar that we want distinctly American
canal" This implies that the canal might
| he a great factor in war as well as COM