The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-10

South African War LIS Deferred.
WASHINGTON, March 9-In the secret
session of the senate today the discus
sion was mainly upon the question as to
whether discussion of the Mason motion
should be open or secret discussion.
Chairman Davis, of the foreign rela-
tions committee, said that public discus
sion of the subject in the senate might
result in disturbing existing relations be-
tween the United States. and friendly
power He thought, therefore, that any
thing of the kind would much better be
avoided
Mr.. Tillman then offered a substitute
for the Mason resolution, requesting the
president to tender his friendly offices
for mediation. The resolution was as fol-
lows:
THAT the president be requested to
offer the mediation and kindly Offices of
the United States government to put an
end to the war In South Africa. and Sc
cure peace between Great Britain and
the Dutch republics on terms honorable
to both parties to the conflict
Mr.. Lodge made the point of order that
a substitute resolution could not be Of
fered to the resolution now in commit
tee, and that point was sustained.
Senator Davis reported the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty. with amendments. in the ex-
ecutive session. and on his motion the
amendment and report was made public.
Coming to the pending treaty, the report
says:
PENDING TREATY.
No nation except the United States
could have so great an interest In the ex-
elusive right to construct and control an
isthm1an canal, but in this matter as we'll
We are compelled to assert the superiority
of right now for the first time conceded
therefore, that the value of this conces-
sion, which should be estimated as a
great considera ton for. anything We may
yield, if we, indeed, yiefd anything. in
acquiring the exclusive right to control
the canal by modification of the Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty.
in the convention of Feb g. 1900. Great
Britain agrees that the restriction as to
the exclusive control of the canal impos-
ed by the Clayton-Bulwer treaty shall
continue to bind. her, while the United
US free to acquire from Costa Rica and
Nicaragua the exclusive control of the
canal for the government for our citizens
under the protection Of the United States.
while It cuts off Great Britain from any
such right.
Speaking of the restrictions in the
treaty, the report says:
These grounds of objection to our ex-
elusive control of the canal are all re-
moved by this convention except those
that relate to fortifications, which being
expressly stated, are retained in a mod
flied form.
IF this convention is ratified Great
Britain could not negotiate with Costa
Rlca or Nicaragua or any other Ameri-
can state for any right to build, control,
manage, regulate or operate a canal
to connect the oceans, while. the United
States is left free. to enter upon and con-
cIude such negotiations. There is moth
ing. thefore, to the prejudice of the Unit
ed States in the convention of Feb. s. 1900.
TO BE NEUTRAL.
mo American statesman, speaking
with official authority or responsibility
has ever iintimated that the United States
the exclusive benefit Of our government
or people. They have all, with one ac-
cord, declared that the canal was to be
enutral ground in time Of war, and al
ways open on terms of impartial equity
TO the ships and commerce of the world
Special treaties for the neutrality i'm
partlaHty. freedom and free use Of the
canals that are to be the eastern and
western gateways of commerce between
the two oceans are not in keeping with
the blessings they must confer upon man
KIND. The subject rather belongs to the
domain of international law. The lead
Ing powers of Europe recognize the inn
Dortance Of this subject in respect to the
Suez canal, and entered into an act for
Its naturalization that is feature of the
age. Whatever canal is built in the 18TH
mus of Darien will be ultimately made
subject to the same law of freedom and
neutrality as governs the Suez canal
that is part of the laWs of nations and
no single power will be able to resist its
control
+;t,Idae me United States cannot take an at
utude In opposition to the principles of
the great act of Oct 22 1885, without
dlscredlting the official declaration of our
government for fifty years on the neu-
trallty OF an isthmian4 canal, and utilized
by all nations without discrimination
TO set up the selfish motive of gain
by establishing monopoly that must
derive income from the patronage of all
maritime countries would be unworthy
of the United States If we owned the
country through which the canal is to
be built"
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE.
Touching upon the strategic Importance
of the canal the report says:
I'VE stipulate against the blockade Of
the canal by any nations. In conditions
that may not be far remote, we could
utilize this provision by letting our war
ships go through the cans free from
capture by our enemies, of ,reat securi-
ty to our coastwist trade
With our naval bases fat Manila. Hon.
olulu, San Francisco San Diego on one
side and San Juan, Puerto Rico the Isle
OF Pines and Key West. with other for
tined naval stations on the other side
1t is extremely improbable that q fleet
would cross either of the great oceans
and approach the canal to find a gateway
to the coasts of the other ocean
If we are not able to handle an enemy
under such disadvantages to them, our
power of resistance to lch a campaign
would be unworthy of cur country, if it
would not be ludicrous.'
AS TO FORTIFJcATIoNS.
As to the proposition, of fortincations the
report says:
with the military police of the United
States provided for in this convention for
the protection of the canal, its defense
can be made perfect against any foreign
power that Is not strong enough to oc-
cupy the country and hold it against all
corners.
I'm any event, If war is to come to in
volve the ownership or control of the
canal or the right of passage through it,
no battle should be fought l. the re-
gion of it. If the canal is to a bat
tie ground, 1t would expose it destruc-
ton, and the erection of fortifications
for its protection would endanger con-
struotion of the canal
I'm the event of such wars the neu-
trality of the canal, secured by the con-
SensuS of all nations, would operate to