New-York tribune., 1900-12-10
CANAL DIPLOMACY.
SENATOR LODGES ASSUMPTION THAT
SOMETHING MORE CAN BE SQUEEZED
OUT OF ENGLAND - THE SUEz
REGULATIONS THE BEST
FOR NICARAGUA.

REGULATIONS THE BEST
FOR NICARAGUA
London December I.
Senator Lodge Is credited IN New York dl,.
patches with having expressed the opinion that
the British Government viii accept the amend
ment Of the canal treaty and allow the, Uaited
States 10 fortify the ends OF the Nicaragua
waterway. The grounds on which he bases thar
opinion are not explained. The Foreign Oncs
has not committed itself on the subject, ana
cannot be expected to do so until the question
is brought forward In diplomatic way An
the interences of the case are against the addi-
uonal concession which Senator Lodge consd-
ers necessary, Lord Salisbury. Mr. Arthur Bal
four, Mr.. Chamberlain and other members on
the Ministry are known In diplomatic circles to
have expressed themselves without equivoca-
tion. They have said that England would NOT
consent TO the fertilization OF the entrances to
the canal Only one English Journal. TO the best
OF my recollection. has Intimated that IL would
be matter OF indifference to England whether
the entrances were fortified or not This Is The
Spectator" Journal exceptionally favorable to
America on all international questions. Senator
Lodge has regarded apparently The Specta-
tor as an organ OF diplomatic opinion whereas
IL represents English optimism and ldealisn. and
is not In close touch with the Foreign Office
The state Department ought 20 be better in
formed In this matter than Senator Lodge. II Is
safe 70 infer that Secretary Hay. while he was
In London. discussed the Clayton -Bulwer Treaty
and the principles OF canal diplomacy with Lord
Salisbury and Mr., Balfour. and knows how far
they are prepared to go in the revision OF the
Clayton-Bulwer Treaty. II he be in doubt Il
will not be difficult for him to ascertain what
are the probabilities OF the acceptance OF the
proposed amendments. informally. through the
American Ambassador or Mr. Henry White
The Hay-Pauncefote convention was negoti-
ated in a spirit Of goodwill and mutual accom-
modation The result would probably have been
impossible II Lord Salisbury and Secretary Hay
had not been drawn together in London. For
the first time Lord Salisbury was dealing with
a Secretary Of State in Washington with whom
he had had intimate personal relations. and on
this account it was easier for him TO approach
a diplomatic tangle which had not been un-
ravelied in the course OF hfty years, and to
solve the main problem on the lines OF neigh
borly feeling and enlightened sslf-intersst. He
perceived that the relative interests Of the two
countries. both in the construction and in the
control OF the Nicaragua Canal. had been
changed since the negotiation OF the Clayton
BuIwer Treaty English interests in that work
had declined because the Suez Canal had been
cut and converted into the chief link IN the
chain OF Imperial possessions dependent upon
power. American interest meanwhile had
increased in the Nicaragua Canal since Il had
become essential military work for uniting
the Atlantic Gulf and Pacific coasts. for con-
centrating naval forces and for maintaining
short and direct communication with the Philip
pines. This change Of balance had a direct bear
Ing upon the two questions OF construction and
control which were regulated by the convention
OF 1850. 1t justified the substitution Of single
for joint control as the indispensable condition
Of the construction OF the waterway with Amer
lean capital There was no renewal ot the
polemIcs Of the canal question. and the practical
business OF adapting the old tius convention 10
new conditions was taken in hand on the basis
OF international eority and common sense. TIE
British Government relinquished all its rights
under the dual arrangement. and made sweep
ing concessions 70 the United States Govern
ment with the single reservation that the Suez
principles should be embodied in the manage
nent OF the canal
There were outstanding questions at issue be-
tween the United States and Canada. and Sir
wilfrfd Laurier might have prevented the ne
gotiation Of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty il he had
persisted in demanding an Alaskan port as a
quid pro quo. or a settlement of the entire group
OF Americana Canadian controversies. He rose
70 the height Of the occasion. showed himself 70
be a true ImperiaIist and allowed the Foreign
Oflce TO settle the canal question without ref
erence TO Canadian interests. Both England
and Canada acted with good feeling in aban-
doning privileges which blocked the consJrue-
tion OF a great work designed TO promote the
interests OF the worlds commerce and the high
est ends OF civilization. The concessions were
made by them; and the United States Govern
ment was released from embarrassing obfga-
tions. Senator Lodge seems to be convinced
that there is no limit to British amiability. He
assumes that the Foreign Office Is only waiting
TO be asked in order TO make anal concession
the abandonment or modification OF the Suez
principles which are perfectly adapted to the
conditions Of British commerce and sea power
He may be right but he ought 70 have surer
warrant for his faith. or possibly his ereduliry,
than a random article in the optimistic and
sentimental Spectator"
Thoughtful men who have studied all the
factors Of the canal problem are convinced that
the Suez regulations provide the best possible
system OF American control over the Nicaragua
waterway. In time OF peace Il would be for the
interests Of all nations to have the canal open TO
the commercial marines and navies OF all flags,
and the garrisoning OF the entrance ports would
be unnecessary. II there were foreign war in
which the United States Government was neu-
tral the canal would be open to war vessels OF
both beIligerents. precisely the Suez Canal
has been under similar conditions. Fortihcations
will not be required for the enforcement Ok
neutrality. The American Navy would protect
the canal during such war. and the menace OF
intervention would suffice 10 prevent either bel
Hgerent from violating the established regula-
tions respecting coaling and rapid passage
through and out Of the waterway. II the United
States wars AT war with a foreign Power the