The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-16

Mr. Way.

According 10 statements from senatorial
sources yesterday, Mr.. Hay metaphorically
has thrown up the sponge and advised tie
President to IL. the Hay-Pauncefote
Treaty remain and receive disinfection at
the hands of .he Senate, after which he
and his chiof will pass it back to the
British Foreign Office without comment,
and. we might add. without the remotest
probability that il will ever be heard from
again.
Perhaps We should not enquire too
closely into the reasons for this change
OF front. Mr.. Hay is in delicate posi-
ton, and, on that account, entitled to
all the personal consideration that Ia
tr.otism and a sentiment of loyalty to
our Institutions permits us to extend to
him. No doubt his present attitude is
due to determination to get out of the
State Department as soon as that act can
be gracefully performed. Probably be
may remain in office until the Fourth If
March next. but, after that time, we shall
be surprised II he does not step out very
promptly. His connection with Lord SAL
isbury's bold attempt to reimpose the yio-
lated and nullified Clayton-B ulwer Treaty
upon the United States really has made
it impossible for him to longer superin-
tend the administration of our foreign
relations acceptably to the country. Aside
from that the day is rapidly approaching
when he would be sternly brought 20 book
for his supine surrender OF the Alaskan
Porcupine district to Great Britain. after
its seizure and occupation o. the military
forces of Canada. On the whole 1t would
seem to be better for him to get out be-
fore that Hay-Tower modus yivendi be-
comes burning question. One thing is
certain. Both Mr.. Hay AID his chief
must now recognize the truth Of the prop
osition that 1t is now impossible for them
to hope to redeem the pledges made to
the British Government, when the secret
alliance was agreed to. Notifying as it
may be, the evidence is conclusive that
the Senate, as now constituted, will not
tolerate the idea OF surrendering the
Monroe Doctrine or the national primacy
OF the United States In the Western Hem
isphere to Great Britain or to the Concert
OF Europe. That being the case we do
not see how any course except that of
speedy resignation is open to the Hon.
John Hay.
AS far as the fate OF the Hay-Paunce-
fote Treaty concerns England there is not
much to be said that is worth saying
Readers Of The Times will have read the
expressions of the British press on the
subject and understand that, according to
published opinion on the other side, fail
ure of the Senate to ratify will throw both
countries back upon the old Clayton Bull
wer Treaty under which the London
daiiies affect conviction that Great Brit
ain has important rights. On this point
1t is only necessary to remark that the
on-Bulwer Treaty was openly and fla
gravity violated and killed by the creation
OF the Crown Colony of British Honduras
in 1862 II the convention can be said to
have had life or eject since 1t has SO only
in the most technical sense, and a very
strained one at that. Congress only needs
:" ps SIS joint resolution declaring 1t dead
and hurled to relieve this Government of
any embarrassment which its present al
legged survival mi:.ht possibly occasion; or
passage by the Senate Of the Hepburn
Morgan Canal bill might accomplish the
same purpose. An act of Congress abro- |
gates all previous laws and treaties as far |
as the same may be in conflict with its |
terms and provisions. Still. to clear the !
deck thoroughly we believe that formal |
notice that the Clayton Bulwer Conven- !
ton has been abrogated would be the |
safer course to take in getting rid of it.
Then, as one or two British papers hint |
England might forbid the construction of ,
an exclusively American canal That is a
bridge which We do not need TO cross until |
We come to II; but the menace, even If il
we're worthier of attention than mere
buster. will hardly cause loss of sleep
among the American people. They are
quite well Informed In reference TO the
Of the mother country and the
inconvenience it would encounter
n Undertaking war with America in pres
ant circumstances. The determination of
'nr citizens to build, own, operate, and
GRITTY our own waterway Will not be
hanged by threats nor our national move
nents obstructed by foreign opposition.