Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-22
5sth CONGRESS-.
Continued from page ~

we should have negotiated with no
one except Costa Rica and Nicaragua
as to building the canal. With Eng
land. owing to the Clayton Bulwer
treaty, we were obliged to treat, but as
we expect Europe to keep out of this
, hemisphere it seemed to the Senate,
however, excellent and liberal the in
tention, to invite European nations to
share in an American treaty and thus
give them the right to NEEDLE in
American affairs at any point.
Such are the purposes of the three
amendments which in no way derogate
from the intention of the. United States
that this canal shall be neutral high
way for the worlds commerce.
do you think England will accept or
reject these Senate amendments" the
senator was asked.
THAT is a question I have been asked
many times. and upon which | do not
think it would be right or proper for me
to express an opinion" was the reply.
But | think ! can with propriety say
a word as to our view of the amend
ments 1t is well recognized in interna-
tional law that. when the conditions I'M
der which treaty has been made have
radically changed and new conditions and
new demands nave arisen, tnlS 1dcl Is an
ample ground for scenlnS an abroGation
or moditicat ton of the original instrument.
The American people desire to build
and mean to build and control the 18TH
milan canal They ask England to omit
the clause inviting other nations to adj
here which does not touch her at al.
They ask her to conform to our desires
by agreeing in unmiSta kablC language to
the suppression of the Clayton Bulwer
treaty by the HayPaunCcfote treaty
which is the whole purpose OF the negoi-
alton.
They ask her finally to accept in this
treaty the reservation of rights in time
of war which she granted 10 Turkey in
the Sucz canal and of which as the pres
self the beneficiary. These propositions
are all essential to American interests
and are fair, reasonable, friendly and in
no sense offensive.
"England's interest in having the canal
built Is second only to that of the United
States. We agree that all vessels of com
mcrce and of war shall pass through the
canal on the same terms as our own ana
in war. between other powers we agree
to preserve the neutrality Of the canal to-
ward all belligcrcnts In Difference to the
wishes of Nicaragua and Costa Rica in
regard to this treaty and not to any We
may hereafter make with them, we relin-
quiSh the right to erect permanent fortIfi-
cations. and although there is no need
of such Notifications. the right to erect
them is an important right and its rcliu-
quishment goes TO the last verge of CON
ceSSiOn.
The vast expense of tire canal is ours
the maintenance and defence of it are
ours. and the American people will never
permit i canal there which they do not
control In building and maintaining the
canal we assume great burden by
which the whole world will benefit. and
if we bear the burden alone the power
and the control must be ours alone also
I'VE desire to dispose of the Clayton
BuIwer treaty in the most friendly way
possible. We are most averse to any
other disposition Of it. England does not
intend to go to war with us to prevent
our building the canal, and if it is physi-
cally possible to build il We mean in ans
event TO do SO.