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


The Canal and Neutrality.
The treaty that has been arranged for
to take the place of the moribund Clay
ton Bulwer affair Is a distinct advance
upon 1t. The theory OF a British In
no longer assumed that there Is a joint
interest between the United States and
Great Britain In the construction Of an
interoceanic waterway. We are left free
TO go ahead with the work on our own
account. and to obtain and utilize any
concessions that we may please from
the government OF Nicaragua or any
other Central American state. The only
question likely to arise concerns the
provisions for complete neutrality OF the
canal
England proceeds naturally on the as
sumption that similar rules should be
adopted for the Suez and the Nicaragua
canals. But the parallel is far from
perfect. II must be remembered that
the suez canal was not. from its incep-
tlon. the plan or the work OF the British
government Her interest was acquired
incidentally. II In = highway for the
nations OF Europe to Asiatic waters. The
continent Ii vitality interested. And
France In particular had so large a
share In the undertaking that It was
doubtful at one time whether even the
financial control OF Great Britain might
not lead to an open rupture. By her
part In Egypt. Great Britain obtained
the position Of power. but II was this
interest Of the rest Of Europe, antedat-
Ing others and existing afterwards, that
dictated the policy of complete neutral
isy.
Now In the case Of the Nicaraguan
waterway the circumstances are wholly
different. n viii be built primarily for
the uses OF the United states. II IL in
tended for way of quick communica-
ton between the Atlantic and the Pa
clfic coasts. and between the former and
Hawaii and the Philippines The inter
est OF other nations is Incidental and OF
extremely minor Importance. II viii be
buIlt by the United states alone. We
reither ask nor would permit participa-
ton by any other government. 1t is TO
h. a canal built by and for the people
az the United States. And it's value TO
them Il for war as well az for peace We
want n means OF masstng eur naval
power quickly and effectively. Indeed
the present favor with which the canal
great voyage OF thp Oregon during our
war with Spain and TO the difficulty and
canger which that voyage made appar-
rnt than 10 commercial considerations
This being true. the American people
wish the canal 20 be a complete posses
pion. We are willing 20 eoneeds the
all other nations are concerned The
cana, should be open on equal terms e.
the shipping OF all the world IL two
foreign nations arN at war with each
other. we may guarantee httingly that
neither 81 them shall have privileges In
the use Of the canal that are not granted
On fun measure TO the other. But as far
rs VIZ are concerned 4, viii be our own
enterprise. constructed with eur treas
ure. designed for cur defence as well
Ms our commercial uses
the question. therefore, viii be raised
In many minds whether We should not
rlaim specifically complete conSol over
this waterway involving the right to
for,lfy and defend its approaches IN the
event of hostinties TO which we our
selves may be party, II is true that
the same purpose would be accom-
plshed I'm another way, II We were a.
war with any European power, no mar
OF. war would ever pass through the ca
ne, without lighting i,s way to the en-