The evening times., 1900-02-05
CIRCULATION STATEMENT.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3. 1900
The Canal and Alaska.

When We reflect upon the sturdy Ameri-
caRism OF the diplomacy which has marked
ohe course of our State Department since
the accession of Mr.. Hay aud re-
member the honorable achievements
il has scored during that short
period. it is almost impossible to enter
tain any fear that the current negotiations
with Great Britain can possibly result in
concessions on the part OF this Government
of which the country would not approve.
IT We could be assured that the Secretary
Of State was absolutely free and un-
hsmpered in his handling OF the
Nicaragua Canal and Alaskan boundary
affairs there would be no occasion for
uneasiness: but there is always a chance
under Republican party government that
he most patriotic and courageous minis
te- may be swerved from a path dictated
By his judgment and conscience. and COM
PEELED to bow his knee 10 the Baal of
partisan or personal interests under the
dictstion OF some machine boss like
Hanna The dear Mr. Dick" episode was
a sad illustration Of this r-present dan
ger
We have, nevertheless the greatest con-
fdence in Secretary Hay; who is not only
one Of the ablest Ministers OF Foreign Af-
fairs that this country ever has had, but
is we'll advised of its public sentiment and
the mposSibility of ignoring il in matters
such a. now engage his most serious at
tentiun lie understands thoroughly that
the American people have just and con-
elusive grounds for considering and treat
ing The Clayton Bulwer treaty as a thing
abandoned aud non-existent. because OF
ills vital violation aud consequent vacation
by the British Government as early as
eighteen hundred and tifty-fve. He real
izes therefore. that beyond the sphere OF
diplomatic courtesy. in reviewing the sub
ject with the London Foreign Office in
friendly terms. this nation. as a nation
Will not tolerate the idea of treating our
rights 10 own build. control and protect
The Nicaragua Canal. as in any degree or
sense open 10 question There viii. indeed
BE- most vehement and universal public
protest if anything whatever should be
allowed or offered to Great Britain as a
quid pro quo for the abandonment Of a
contention affronting because baseless on
its face
Il is therefore to be hoped that when
The facts OF Secretary's Hays negotiations
are made public we may find that he has
avoided this pitfall which would amount
10 the establishment Of 4 vicious prece-
dent, would be humiliating to the United
States. and would cover Mr.. Mckinleys
Administration with odium. II is report
ed. and quite generally believed. that
Great Britain demands a free port IN
Alaska as a consideration for dropping the
Clayton Bulwer Treaty. OF course. such a
thing is out OF the question. II President
Mckinley were to commit himself TO the
alienation of one inch OF American terri
tory in Alaska, he might al that point con-
tidently order his Canton residence TO be
put ia commission against the fifth OF
March. nineteen hundred and one for he
would need il. The surrender OF port or
land is not to be thought Of for a moment.
On the other hand there would be 70
serious objection 10 giving Great Britain
Tree p0rl privileges In an American port.
though not under lease which would bs
transformed in time to fee simple title
after the well-knOwn habit Of our trans
Atlantic cousins. But we might allow them
free entry. with the distinct understanding
and agreement that il was an act Of grace
and courtesy, and in no way to be con-
sidered as the concession Of right or of
q privilege upon which the idea of per-
m ght be founded. The American people
would be cheerfully willing to promote
The convenience of their AnglO-Saxon
brethren; but not at the cost of giving up
a foot of their coast or an acre OF their do
main. Rather than do either. they would
De readK 10 fight England and all ElIrnne