The evening times., 1900-04-06
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1900.
The Hay-Pauneefote Treaty.

What this country wants and is deter
mined to have is an inter-oceanic canal,
the ownership construction. management,
and defence Of which shall be exclusively
American. II the Davis amendment TO
the -Pauncefote tt eaty is safe TO Sc
cure all that. opposition would be without
much reason. The question is. Does the
Davis amendment cure the vice Of the
original document? Respect for the emil
neut ability and patriotism Of the Senator
from Minnesota ordinarily would lead Us
to accept his word for it. but this is a mo-
mentous matter and no one should be will
ing to take chances. The language Of the
amendment may cover everything needful.
II so. and il there are no diplomatic res
eryations hidden under the text then it
would seem feasible to translate il into
words about the meaning and effect OF
which there could be no future question or
uncertainty.
In the executive session OF the Senate
yesterday. Senator Davis is reported as
stating that he had reason to believe that
Great Britain would accept the treaty as
amended. and is willing to recognize the
right Of the United States to utilize the
canal in time Of war as part o. the Nmcri-
can coast line and to take any steps
deemed necessary for its protection.
It goes without saying that this an
ncunoement is meIy TO exert an important
ehs,. uron the fate G, the treaty. The Al
miai-,ra-ou. in its desire to shield Secrc-
tary HAY from humiliation. and perhaps
10 carry cut its part Of a deal the fylI pro-
portions of which DO not appear ON the
surface oi things. has been bitterly oppos-
in- the Davis amendment. Inspired state
mcuts, mere or less tracosbIe 10 the state
Department have been made TO the effect
that Lord Salisbury would never consent
TO the least alteration i'm the provisions o..
the treaty. when Senator Davis.
whom the country believes to be an
honest and truthful man, declares aha.
the British Government has Offered
to accept the amendment it is reas-
Orab.y plain that such warnings hav,
been hardly sincere. The Admins
traiion will now be compelled to show its
hand. II il takes the position that the
American people are not to be permitted
10 defend their own property, even with
the consent OF Great Britain, the storm
OF trouble that viii ensuc Will in compar-
ison, actually dwarf the tidal wave OF
anger over the policy OF Mr.. Mckinley to-
ward Porto Rico
Yet we are inclined to believe that the
Administration would not hesitate TO kill
the Davis amendment. or anything else
calculated to promote effective canal legis-
laii0n at this session Of Congress. There
are important possible campaign cOntribu-
tors among the enemies Of the Nicaragua
Canal and their views are clearly rep
resented in the attitude OF Senator Hanna
when the Hepburn bill was reached in thu
House some time ago, II Senator Davis
is persistent and implacable enough he
may be able TO force a vote and secure
ratification Of the amended treaty against
the wishes and interests Of the party man
ayers, and Senator Morgan may be ther
able to force passage Of the Hepburn
h Morgan bill. but the battle is likely 10 bt
2 lively one. with the end not clearly il
sight. In any event. however We ar,
unable TO view the situation with the
smallest feeling OF envy for the position
or emotions OF the Administration in re.
gard to it.