The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-08

OPPOSITION TO TREATY.
Naturalization Provision Likely to
lie an Obstacle In the Way
of Ratification.

NEW YORK, Feb. "A special to the
Herald from Washington says:
Immediate ratification OF the Hay
Pauncefote treaty permitting the con-
struction OF an isthmian canal by the
United States. need not be expected Just
enough opposition has developed to the
provision promoting the construction of
Notifications at the entrance to the pro-
posed canal. 10 provoke discussion and
thus delay action on the treaty. A care
full canvass made of the senate does not
Indicate, however. that this opposition is
sufficiently strong to either secure the
adoption Of an amendment providing for
fortincations or 10 present the ratification
of the treaty, without such an amend
ment. Leaders on both sides appear to be
well satisfied with all the provisions of
the treaty and they will try to have Il
ratified without amendment
The principal advocates of an amend
ment in favor of military defeuses are
Senators Mason and Allen, who are rare
~ IN sympathy with anything done hy
the administration. When the treaty was
first read yesterday. Senator Lodge SEEM
ed 60 think such an amendment was de-
sirable. but after conferences with other
senators this afternoon. he said that the
matter should be very fully discussed be-
fore either the foreign relations commit
tee or the senate took action.
A meeting OF the committee on for
eign relations has been called for tumor-
rev 20 consider the treaty. Leading men,
beers Of this committee are quite willing
10 accept the treaty as IL stands, but the
discussion may develop enough opposi-
ton TO delay report for another week.
Suggestions that Secretary Hay was
tricked by Lord Pauncefote are laughed
az by leading members OF the committee
who have known of the negotiations and
the reasons for adopting the articles pro-
hihising the construction of Notifications.
II "a argued In behalf OF standardization
that. with an agreement signed by all the
powers Of the world, for the absolute neu-
raltty OF the canal. 10 time or war as
well as peace. uo defrnses viii be neces-
Sary The moral obiigations incurred by
each nation signing the naturalization
preserving the neutrality. Any nation yio-
iatlng the agreement Will have all the fest
OF the world against n.
Those who think defensss nf the ter
mini 90 the canal are necessary 40 not
consider that permanent fortihcatious ars
IS. essse i,.i'. ln time q war. = Is arsaed;
frances and thus be able TO physically
force neutrality # for any reason % Wss
feared Il could not De morally enforced,
To those w'ao poinl out that Great Bri-
tain Is physically able 20 control the Ssssz
canal hy her strung lefensss AZ Gibraltar.
The answer IL made that, with a naval base
81 San Juan. Puertn Rico. and tho prohs-
bic aqussifion OF she Danish Rno Gaia
pages islands, The En{ted States wlii be m
as coed position "a offcr military resistance
re any AttNfuptff VOCATION OF fte neutrality
OF the NifarlgAan canal a. 9fpat Britain
Is connected with the SueH canal
Discussion over the Has -Pauuccfafe
treaty may delay, sonieN 'iat naal action
on the NicaraEuRm canal bill but Ii Is tho
opinion ~ Msesrs MORGAN Alarich ard
other leaders tn The senate. and MT Hep
hurr sn8 other leaders IN the house that 81
viii nas prevent the Hnal passage af the
tii ihia session.
II tae ire8tN is ratified in IT'S arcssn.
share au amendment win have De- be made
to the pending Dill eliminating tNe rropis-
i9n cunie np,aiinE ne erection OF farti9cA-
tAons 3na the terminal 81 IRE canal II any
DELAY aeCurs o. sNi BE- over these amend.
mants
senator Morgan far authoF ~ tbe send
INK hiU 'r the senate says there b. no