The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-08
Amendments Proposed at Yesterdays
Meeting Of the Committee ON
Foreign Relations.
STATEMENT BY MR.. MORGAN
WHO DISCUSSED ALL PHASES OF
THE CANAL PROPOSITION.
Steps Taken to Secure Danish West
Indies-Wil BE Needed IL the Isth-
mian waterway Is Constructed.
,ecial to the Indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON, Feb. THE more
the new treaty with Great Britain
about the Nicarauga canal is studied
the less its critics like it. 1t is an
nounced. apparently by authority. that the
new treaty is wholly the work of the
State Department that Secretary Hay
prepared it and presented 1t to Lord
Pauncefote. who promptly accepted 1t.
State Department officials profess to be
surprised at the criticism leveled against
1T, and even seem hurt that the Senate and
people generally have not accepted 1t on
hand. Its most extreme critics say that in
view of this treaty Great Britain should
put our State Department on the pay roll
of her Foreign Office. This, however, will
be regarded merely as a splenetic outpurst'
and not criticism Nevertheless 1t goes to
show the resentment that is felt against
the State Department for its action In the
matter. One Senator, who is thick and
thin friend of Secretary Hay. said he
looked on the treaty as great diplomatic
triumph. whereupon a senatorial critic OF
the treaty said: 80 do regard it as
great diplomatic triumph for Great Brit
ain" From what took place in the COM
mittee on foreign relations at its weekly
meeting to-day, at which me treaty was
the principal subject Of discussion It ap-
pears certain the treaty cannot be ratined
in its present form. Amendments have al
ready been proposed and undoubtedly
others will be proposed. One of the chief
objections made to the treaty by it's critics
is that even to ratify it in an amended
form would be dangerous, as that action,
it is argued would be construed by the
London government as an acknowledg-
ment by this government that the Clayton
Bulwer treaty is of living force. The
statement is made. apparently by authori-
ty of the State Department, that the mere
signing of the new convention by Hay and
Pauncefote and its submission to the SEN
ate, regardless of the action or nonaction
of that body. operates to dissipate all
doubt as to whether or not the Clayton
Bulwer treaty is alive or dead; that 1t
commits the executive branch OF the gov
ernment, the only one foreign govern
ments have dealing with, to the PROPOSE
ton that the most unfortunate of treaties
is still of living and binding force. This
view is disputed by some of those best
versed in diplomatic usages, but whether
correct or not, Secretary Hays act is un-
favorably criticised in senatorial and other
public circles as weak and untimely.
DEBATE WAS ANIMATED.
An Associated Press dispatch says: The
Senate committee on foreign relations met
to-day to consider the canal treaty. The
position was manifested, it was not of such
a character as to indicate the defeat or
the treaty. but that it would be amended
there seems to be little doubt. One of the
amendments proposed is that the whole Of
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty shall be abro-
gated. 1t is said by members of the COM
mittee favoring this change that there is
no need Of keeping alive any portion OF the
old treaty. Another change suggested is in
regard to the protection of coal. The treaty
declares that there should be no fortifi-
cations and it is expected this will prevent
the United States from erecting batteries.
which are by some considered absolutely
necessary in view Of the instructions that
oco r from time to time in South American
countries. 1t is possible that this lam
guage will be modified that such protec-
ton as the United States deems necessary
will be afforded along the route of the
canal. Nearly the entire time was con-
sumed in listening to an elaborate state
ment from Senator Morgan, who is
thoroughly familiar with the subject of the
Nicaragua canal proposition and all treaties
affecting it. There was little or no express
sion of opinion from other senator's save
that it was very important subject and
would need careful consideration.
State Department officials maintain ST.
lence respecting the mooted proposition to
purchase the Danish West Indian islands
for a coaling station. 1t is said, however.
that something had been done in a quiet
way by the government in anticipation of
the adoption of the isthmian canal project
by Congress. The purpose has been g
double one--frst, to secure an advan-
tageous option from Denmark, and, second.
to procure information as TO the possibility
of acquiring these islands so as to meet the
inquiries of the committees of Congress
which will have to do with the bill. Most
of the "feelers" in this direction have been
thrown out in Europe. and there is good
authority for the statement that not much
difficulty will be experienced by the gov
ernments of the United States and Dem
mark in reaching an agreement satisfac-
tory TO both sides soon after the necessary
legislation is secured from Congress Ef-
forts to secure like facilities from the Pa
cific side of the isthmus have been attended
with as much promise. Such overtures as
have been made TO the government Of
Ecuador have developed an aversion to the
surrender OF the smallest speck of terri
tory. stiIl. there are other resources which