The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-25
ON THE NICARAGUA CANA |
OPPOSING OPINIONS REGARDING AN
IMPORTANT QUESTION.
Burton, of Ohio, COntended Against
the Passage of the Hepburn Bill,
While DAILY, of New Jersey, Fn-
yored the Measure in the House.


Burton, Of Ohio, and DAILY. of New Jer-
sew on the question of the construction
of the Nicaragua canal. These speeches
were delivered in the house early in May,
during the pendency of the Hepburn bill.
Mr.. Burton is a Republican, and was one
OF the few men who opposed the Hep
burn bill, and was the recognized leader
in the house Of the opposition to the
construction of the great interoceanic
waterway. Mr.. DAILY is a Democrat. and
advocated the passage of the Hepburn
bill, and the UNFOLDING OF the Monroe
doctrine.
Mr. DAILY quoted copiously from au-
thorities 10 show that the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty is of no effect. and by inference
he attacked the HayPauncefote conven-
ton This literature appears to be con-
ficting. Mr.. Burton, in introducing his
remarks, said;
81 am opposed to the passage of the
pending bill. | yield 10 no one in my de-
sire for the early connection OF the two
oceans by an isthmian canal, but this
measure does not provide the best meth
cd OF accomplishing II. 1t ignores sol
emn treaties II commits us to one
route, when the advantages of all routes
should be considered and compared II
disregards the logical and business like
order for the successive steps required.
II VIII inevitably compel US to accept un-
favorable terms as to cost and privileges
I'm the route selected. Most OF all, instead
OF securing the prompt beginning and
and possibly the defeat of the undertake
ing:
I'm the construction of an isthmlan
canal, three important questions present
themselves:
First shall 1t be built by the United
states government or by private enter
prise?
who shall build IL? The extension OF
tho scope OF government undertakings
should be watched with extreme care.
Nnt NIL pf A...e
burden of taxation, but that efficiency
and economy which are secured by pri-
vate enterprises are not always to be at
talned under government control"
BY way of Introduction, Mr.. DAILY said:
II am in favor. of the bill reported by
the gentleman from Iowa. because IL is
absolutely an American measure. / ia
vor II because Ii is consonant with the
principles that have ever governed this
country when dealing with foreign ma
tons, so far as the Monroe doctrine is
concerned.
Sitting here tonight picked up a copy
or the convention between the United
states and Great Britain to facilitate the
construction of a ship canal. II il
known as the Hay Pauncefote treaty. In
the first article is used this language:
1t is agreed that the canal may be
constructed under the auspices of the
United States.
MIR. Chairman. l deny the right Of
struct this canal Under the existing doc
trines which we have recognized for years
! deny the right OF any government TO
interfere with an American project IL
must be conceded by weight OF authority
that the Clayton Bulwer treaty has long
since been abrogated Whether II was
timely or not when it was entered into.
viii not now discuss. hold that It was
un-American. | maintain that an attempt
10 place upon the government of the
United states any OF those burdens writ
ten In the Clayton Rulwer treaty and re-
Elected in the Hay RaunCefote treaty is
un-American, un-Democratic. I'M Repub-
ilcan. is not consonant with our institu-
tons and those PRINCIPLES which we now
follow in governing our affairs with for
eign nations In matters pertaining to the
western hemisphere"
on the subject OF the Clayton Bulwer
treaty, Mr.. Burton said: Il only repeat
again that he recognized II as a subsist-
ing engagement. | must pass rapidly on
with few suggestions as TO the proper
course To pursue. As to the Hay PaunCe-
fote treaty, while ! regard 1t as tr-
umph OF diplomacy. removing distractions
which lay In the way, that is a matter
which Is now in "A coordinate body and
| do not care To comment upon It. What
should We do now Congress should want
for this commission to conclude its work.
walt until II knows whether the dam shall
be located In one place or another; wait
until II shall know the approximate eA-
pense wait until the route shall nave
been determined: walt until options On all
the concessions made are obtained. wait
until the state department has con Guided
provisional treaties with these different
nations so tbat we may not be at Tho
mercy of any nation that may desire to
eNtort from us what II Will our course
should be Tor peace. The true American
fosters no Quarreis he harhors no Ill viii
lac resorts to war only "a a last exp sdicut
and viii not ON dght occasion disturb the
world s. peace.
In the next administration. that OF
President buchanan. Mr.. Case. then Soc
rotary 81 state, made a declaration against
exclusive military control August p, 1851.
he said
should be kept FREQ from the danger ot
interruption by the governments through
whose territories they pass. or bY hostile
operations of other governments Engaged
White the rights OF sovereignty Of
the local government must always he
respected. other rights have also arisen
IN the progress % events involving inter-
eSts u great magnitude 10 the commercial
world. aud demanding. u need be, IT'S
I'm view ~ those interests. and after
having invited capital ana enterprise from
other countries tN aid iD the UpeuinE 0f
these great htFhTays ~ nations under
pledges - free transit Co Hu desiring
IT, 10 cannot De permitted that these gov
crrnrnts SnuulH exercise over them ttbn
canaisl arbitrary snh unlimited control
ana close thtns and embATrass thcm
without reference 90 The wants Of COM
mcrCc or tnc Intercourse u tht lrlt
Equally disastrous NouId DO re ~
leave them a. The mercy 81 every nation
winch in Nme - war might aUt 10 aJ-
hk"""a Tor hnstle INfF SEES tI Bee
Possession az them and either restrain
thfir use ~ suspend 70 altogether
And again. iu rho f.ltaNtng rear r-
said What The United states wants lN
Central hmer'ra noNt 10 she hApp3ness
through A.
s-Th.s same .am'o.s,-auao gave COM
anec - che trva'r Mr. Case. Boz l>se. salt.
t'rFlaftat.~ amount .r tricrirr