The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-13
GREAT BRITAIN'S QUITCLAIM TO
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.

Now that England has abandoned the
treaty. We may expect to see work begin
at once, and in few years ships will pass
from ocean to ocean In a few hours. where
1t now takes weeks to cover the Hoo
miles around the Horn This will be
great thing for this country and for hu-
manity. as it win bring the human family
closer together.-Memphis Commercially
peal
AS an act OF comfy It is Unprecedented
In the course OF this country's diplomatic
relations. 1t is the one absolute gift that
this nation or any other nation Of our
recollection has ever received. 1t Is piac-
tically a quitclaim of the isthmus, through
which swings the gate between the Atlantic
and Pacific. 1t is the satisfaction without
price Of mortgage which we had given
when less opulent than now on the needed
connecting link of our own widely separat-
ed coast.-New York Press.
Score one more victory for President Me
Kinley and Secretary Hay. There is no
son now why the present congress should
not promptly provide for the building of
the canal, which will be. when completed.
one of the greatest benefits Of commerce
that has ever been secured by American
enterprise.-Hartford Post.
II may be pointed out. however, that
England was ready to yield the main poiat
some time ago, but Canada upset the nego-
tiations by her absurd Alaskan demands
which have now been disregarded. Since
the opening of the Suez canal gave En-
gland a shorter route to India, her interest
in the Nicaraguan line has been purely
commercial, and her adherence to the Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty has been politically
academic. She now makes a concession
which she could not avoid, and removes
an obstacle which American opinion would
have sustained the United States govern
ment in overriding.-Chicago Inter Ocean.
No quid pro quo whatever ia asked In
exchange for the concession, our Washing
ton correspondent declares. Great Britain
simply insists that the Nicaragua canal
when built must be neutralized and not
fortified. The English theory seems to be;
IF the canal Is neutralized by the agree
ment of all the great powers there is no
necessity TO erect Notifications. as the
safety and protection of the canal will be
guaranteed ny the entire world, and al
the world will protect II should any one
nation seek to obtain undue advantage In
case Of war or at any other time. - Boston
Globe.
The claim that the treaty really brings
us into an alliance with England Is absurd.
1t unites the countries no closer imam now
ii goes not one step beyond the matters
treated. namely, the naturalization OF the
canal and our ownership. II commits Eng
land TO confession of our right. and ours
alone, to construct the waterway and con-
troll 1t. IL simply takes the canal out OF
the field Of dispute under the Clayton
Bulwer treaty, which for a generation has
been source of contention and disagree
ment.-Sacramento Record-Union.
The relations of Great Britain and the
United States as TO the odd treaty have
now been lifted out of the msts of In
ternational controversy and the position
taken by Lord Granville has been ADAM
doned. 1t is said that the recognition OF
the American contention has not been pur-
chased by any concession TO Great Britain
In any other portion OF the diplomatic field.
No such concession appears to have beer
proposed by Great Britain. There was
enough vitality perhaps In the ancient
treaty to make II useful to Great Britain
In the Canadian boundary negotiations
That It has not been held In allegiance for
this or any purpose is creditable TO Great
Britain. and the new treaty is trophy for
Mr. Hay.-Philadelphia Public Ledger.
That an isthmian canal is a necessity to
the United States as means of defense IL
apparent; that 1t is demanded by the ex-
panding trade of the entire country east
vi tue ROCKY mountains Is also pam. that
the future welfare and development OF the
South and the industrial growth OF each
state will be promoted and that speedily
by canal is beyond doubt. aud that the
requirement of possessions in the Pacific
and their protection and upbuiiding make
necessary the construction of a canal Is
also plain. Nashville American.
As our trade with China, India and At
RIGA does not exceed ss00a,Oo a year. II
would seem that we are expected to nay
handsomely for the privilege of sending
American products through an interoce-
anic canal built and owned by the United
States. There seems to be little doubt
that congress win authorize the construc-
ton OF the canal and will vote sisaaoeQ
and any additional sum that may De re-
quired for the completion OF the project
baltimore sun.
A very awkward complication iH reinov-
ed by the negotiation OF the treaty and II
does not seem likely that the senate VIII
refuse TO accept the convention In the
form in which IL has been transmitted II
Is a practical question that Is involved
and the senator's Will take "A practical
view OF the mattcr.--Boise Statesman
4 neutral canal would require no de-
lenses, Moreover. our neighbors IN this
hemisphere are likely 10 regard us with
less suspicion n We do not insist on
making a military fortress out OF the
waterway which ~ OF so much Importance
90 the development OF both the Western
ttFN.rr ste D. kaIaT