New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-21
TIE VOTE ON TIE TREATY.


Mingled emotions is the hackneyed phrase
which best describes the feelings with which
the Nation will regard the final action of the
Senate yesterday in amending and then ratlfy-
ing the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty. 1t is frankly
to be recognized that respectable differences of
opinion have from the first existed concerning
some of the provisions Of that document. Many
thoughtful and patriotic Americans have dis
cerned in ii broad, farseeing craftsmanship,
and have favored its ratification exactly as at
first drafted Others have thought it essential
TO our National wellbeing that it should be
amended, as it has been. Still others have OPP
posed it altogether. The proportonate sizes OF
these classes We are not prepared to est-
mate. 1t seems safe, however, to assume that
an emphatic majority Of the American people
have desired and do desire the construction of
a canal across the Nicaragua isthmus. and will
be disappointed if the action of the Senate shall
result in further delay of that important work,
Whether such will be its result is yet to be
seen.
1t will be we'll to bear in mind, whatever
may be the next movement in the case, the
nature Of the opposition to the treaty, and also,
TO a considerable extent. of the influences
which led TO its amendment 1t is safe to say
that some share of opposition to the treaty
was identical with opposition to the canal itself,
and this latter opposition was partly against
the Nicaragua route and partly against any
isthmian canal at all. No secret is made Of
the fact that the influence of the transcontinen-
tai railroads is hostile to any canal. That is
natural They do not want a competitor in
traffic Moreover, it is entirely conceivable that
a Senator may think it better to let the work
be done by the railroads rather than to enter
49, ~. Of
a canal. AS for the Panama Canal its pro-
moters are naturally opposed to the rival Mic
aragua route realizing that the construction of
the canal on the latter would involve their
scheme in ruin. And both these influences are
reported not only to have opposed the treaty,
but also TO have favored certain amendments
of it as being in their minds practically GER
tain to kill it, by making it unacceptable TO
Great Britain. 1t is not to be intimated that all
the opposition to the treaty, all the sentiment
in favor of amending it, proceeded from these
sources. That part Of 1t did, and perhaps
sufficient part to effect the result of yesterday is
widely believed.
Not the least important phase of these con-
siderations is to be found in their bearing upon
British action. The next move is to be made
by the British Government, assuming. that is
that the President sees fit to submit the
amended treaty TO it for its acceptance or re-
lection. 1t is agreeable to see that there is in
Great Britain pretty general recognition of
the nature of the opposition to the original
treaty 1t is recognized there as we are glad to
believe justly, that mere Angophobia. whether
in the form of hatred distrust has played
altogether inconsiderable part. Some votes
were cast against the treaty, or for its amend
ment, by men who are conspicuously friendly
TO Great Britain, and who sincerely desire the
present amicable and intimate relations be-
tween the two countries to endure They We're
moved by considerations of purely domestic
policy, and not by any desire to affront a
! friendly nation. Nor will it be overlooked that
among those voting for amendment of the
treaty were not a few earnest friends of the
canal, too, who hoped and believed that the
able to Great Britain, and would facilitate
rather than obstruct the progress of the enter
prise.
In brief, the situation created by yesterday S
vote is one which calls for calm and discreet
judgment on all sides and in which hasty de-
cisions or Incorporate utterances are earnestly
TO be deprecated. AS we said yesterday, the
British Government has given no authoritative
indication of its attitude toward the amend
ments of the treaty. But it is to be observed
that one Of the amendments raises the question
whether the British Government will assent to
the abrogation of the Clayton Bulwer Treaty
which it has more than once declined to do.