The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-12-09
SUNDAY. DECEMBER .. 1900.
an INFAMOUS BREACH OF FAITH.

There IS being framed at this moment
the most tremendous and the most serious
issue for the American people that they
haze been confronted with since the Civil
War. Great Britain has certain fixed
and vested rights in any canal that may
be built through Nicaragua to connect the
Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. and jingo
element in our Congress is preparing to
build that canal in open defiance and con-
tempt of Great Britain's rights. That can
not be done except at the expense Of a
war between us and Great Britain. and
that would be the most terrible calamity
tfat could befall these two countries. as
well as civilization and the world at
large We propose to lay the case as it
is. before our readers this morning that
they may Judge for themselves of the
outrageous position that our ji-lgos would
place this country in.
For some time prior to 1850 a dispute
had been going on between this country
and England as 10 the respective rights
each had in the way Of building canal.
Finally the President appointed our Sec
England appointed Sir Henry Bulwer
Lytton as commissioners to examine into
the whole subject, with a view TO effect
ing a settlement Of conflicting claims.
and, after full and patient investigation
Of all matters in dispute, these commits
embodied in a proposed treaty between
the two Governments. The Senate of the
United States, after full discussion and
deliberation, ratified this treaty, and the
English Government did the same. and
that treaty from that day forward be-
came the law Of the case, so far as these
two countries were concerned.
We Will quote the first two sections of
that treaty as follows:
The United States of America and Her
Britain Majesty, being DESTROYS of con-
soldating the relations of amity, which
SO happily subsist between them. by set
ting forth and fixing in a convention their
views and intentions with reference TO
any means of communications by ship
canal which may be constructed between
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, by the
way of the River San Juan de Nicaragua
and either or both Of the Lakes of Mica
ragua or Manasua, to any port or place
on the Pacific ocean
Then follows the appointment OF the
commissioners, ana the statement that
they have agreed upon a treaty.
Article one Of the treaty then reads as
follows:
The Governments OF the United States
aud Great Britain hereby declare that
neither the one not the other will-ever
obtain or maintain for Itself any eXclu-
size control over the ship canal: agreeing
that neither will ever erect or maintain
Rny fort !ficationS commanding the same.
Or in The vicinity thereof, or occupy, or
foriify, or colonize. or assent 10. or eN-
ercise any dominion over Nicaragua,
Costa Rica. the Mosquito Coast, or any
part of Central America, etc
The remainder of the article and of the
treaty being directed to establishing that
any canal that may be built shall be neu-
trail and open to mankind.
For fun and ample consideration, there
fore, Great Britain stipulated with us
that if a canal was built it was 10 he q
neutral one and that we should have no
right TO fortify il Now our jngos in
Congress announce that they Will build
and tortify a canal whether England con-
cents to ii or whether she does not This
would be an open, fragrant and infamous
breach OF faith upon our part. and we
viii never be permitted to do 1t except at
The expense OF a victorious war with Eng
and. Are the American people prepared
for the position their 5lngos are arrang-
ing FOR them?