The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-07

The Ciayton-Bulwer Treaty.

Inc (ldyton-buIwcr treaty.
The Clayton Bulwer treaty has been
superseded by an entirely new agree
mcnt with Great Britain I'm which the
right OF the United States to construct
an isthmian canal Is specifically con-
coded. This is q happy contamination.
no matter whether the construction Of
the canal Ia to 60 forward at once or to
walt on the report Of the canal COM
missioners now in the field.
The Clayton Bulwer treaty should
nevcr have been agreed to. Since II
was agreed to. 1t should have been abol-
ished long ago. 1t was signed In 1850.
at which time Great Britain claimed TO
exercise a protectorate over the whole
eastern coast of Nicaragua and that
terminus Of the canal. which It was sup
posed would soon be built. must be To-
Gated in territory over which she as
sumed Jurisdiction. In order to pre-
vent possible collision. this treaty was
entered into between the two nations.
taking It's name from our secretary OF
minister. Sir II. l.. Buiwer
The portion Of II which has ever since
been brought forward as an insuper-
able obstacle to the construction OF
canal by this government, or to a strict
national control OF the waterway, pro-
vides that THE governments OF the
United States and Great Britain hereby
declare that neither the one nor the
other will ever obtain or maintain for
Itself any exclusive control over the
said shtp-canal' II contains also the
following specific pledge; "Nor win the
United states or Great Britain take ad-
vantage of any Intimacy, or use any
alliance. connection. or influence that
either may possess, with any state or
government through whose territory the
of acquiring or holding, directly or in
directly, for the citizens or subjects OF
the one. any rights or advantages In
regard to commerce or navigation
through the said canal which shall not
be offered ON the same terms to tho ci,I-
zcns or subjects OF the other"
Almost from the time Of its conclu-
sion the validity of this treaty has
been a matter OF academic dispute. The
United States has held that It was alb
rogatcd by England through failure TO
make good the conditions on which con
sent to Il was obtained. Great Britain
Of course, held that II was OF fun force
and effect. There Is no authority that
could decide between them: So when
ever we talked about building the canal.
or whenever We made any diplomatic
request of Great Britain. tho Clayton
Brlwer treaty was pulled out ot It's musty
pigeon hole and nourished before us as
something Involving rights for which
due concession on our part should be
made before they can be sure dered.
II is relic OF the past that is sent de.
servedly 20 she lurnhsrroorn.
Whether we build canal or do not
build IL. and whether We begin work
next year or ia twenty-five years from
now, the treaty is properly abrogatea
The conditions have changed entirely.
The interests that England had in the
matter have decreased TO the vanishing
point All the world knows that. Il the
United States determines 60 construct
n waterway across the isthmus 20 faclii-
tate communication between Its east
crn and western seaeoasts, and be-
tween the Atlantic and its possessions
IN the Pacific win so ahead and do 1t.
All the world knows that in this event
{, should and would assume absolute
national control OF IT in peace and in
war. But no possibility Of eomplioa-
ilons With a friendly power should be