The evening times., 1900-02-07

It is apparent from the statements OF
Senators and Representatives who have
talked with the President this morning
that the ratification Of the -Paunce-
fote Treaty in Is present shape is impos-
sible. Tbs knowledge that the convention
is regarded as a surrender TO England
came as great surprise TO the Admins
tration officials but they have promptly
appreciated the situation and already ad-
NIT privately that their pet treaty IS
practically dead.
There has been no cOnceaiment for the
past twenty-four hours Of the belief cf the
President and Secretary Of state that the
CIayton- -Bulwer treaty is sill In force. This
admission IS promptly seized up1n by the
opposition as their most effective argu-
ment and is regarded as very singular and
significant. in view of the claims OF past
Administrations for many years that Eng
land abrogated the treaty when she en-
tered upon the control Of Central American
| territory.
| This consideration and the fact that the
! claim prohibiting the fortifcation OF the
| canal is generally unpopular at the Capitol
/ appear 10 be insurmountabIe obstacles 10
1 the treaty, and il is with much regret that
/ the Administration makes the admission
/ that the United States was outmatched in
! the negotiations and framed a diplomatic
/ agreement that viii not stand the test OF
/ examination and criticism.
/ There IS 10 be no undue haste I'm con
sidering the treaty in the Committee on
/ Foreign Relations. There viii. likewise,
/ be 10 amendment 10 the convention when
/ il is reported % the Senate. The treaty
was discussed by the committee this morn
I ing fer an hour and a ha,f Senator Nor
+ gan holding the floor most Of that time.
( As soon as quorum appeared. Chairman
; Davis as.Nd Mr.. Morgan, former Demo
I cratic Chairman Of the Committee, and
' present Chairman Of the Committee on In
teroceanic Canals, TO give the committee a
review Of the Nicaragua Canal legislation
and projects in Congress. and the relations
/ thereto Of the ClaytOH-B -Buiwer treaty.
/ Senator Morgan has made this canal one
I Of the gleat studies Of his lie during
| recent years; has written three reports
upon it; and, in conjunction with former
/ Senator Edmunds, then a member of the
/ Committee submitted an elaborate report
to the Senate on the canal and the appii-
cation to it Of the Clayt0a-Bulwer treaty.
{ All these matters were touched upon By
Nr. Morgan today. his review naturally
being historical in character.
Mr.. Morgan, toward the close OF his
statement. gave expression 20 his solemn
belief. uotwirhstsndiBs the opposite view
! Of Senator Frye. that the CIayton-BuIwer
treaty was suu in full force and effect.
and that the United States was bound by
it. He had never doubted but that when
. the time came some new arrangement
would be made that would remove the re-
/ strictions Of that convention.
That had been cone in the treaty under
consideration Mr. Morgan said he had no
fear that the United States wO1ld be IN
able to deal with an enemy in time Of war
because Of the guaranteed neutrality Of
the canal.
There was no expression Of opinion upon
the direct proposition that the canal ought
to be fortified and the criticism that, in
that respect the treaty was deficient in
protecting American interests. The con-
sensus Of opinion in the committee seems
( 20 be that no amendment is necessary. Mr..
Money. the only other Democratic mem
Der present did not express any views st
all.
Chairman Davis discussed the question
only a moment ooudninS himself 70 the
subject OF neutrality. He believed this
neutrality guaranteed by Great Britain
and the Upited States, and endorsed and
approved by the leading maritime nations
Of the world, would prove the best pro-
I lection 10 American interests there. Gnd
Tor the defense Of the canal itself 70
action was taken, and the treaty was laid
over until the next regular meeting.