The times., 1900-12-18
Circulation Statement.
A French MISUNDERSTANDING.

logic and British overreaching and per-
fidy why the leading statemen and iurists
OF this country do not regard, and for
long time have not regarded, the so-called
Clayton Bulwer Treaty as in being, or in
any sense binding upon the United States.
They are aware, as we are, that. in
strained technical sense the old conyen-
tion may be claimed to be in force, simply
upon the ground that its violation and
notification by Great Britain III 1862 have
never been formally acted upon by the
Government of the United States. They
also know that irreguiarity. corruption,
and secretion, in keeping what the Clay
ton-Bulwer negotiators knew to be an
agreement between them fatal to their
purpose if not secured, and fatal TO ratiii-
cation if divulged to the Senate, tainted
the whole business with fraud. and, as far
as Secretary Clayton's connection with it
was concerned. with unconstitutionality.
Immediately upon learning which it
did not for two years, or such matter,
afterward-that secret article had been
agreed TO between Clayton and Bulwer,
purporting to vary and altogether to
change the terms and meaning OF the
convention as presented to the Senate
for ratification, Congress wculd have been
justified in passing resolution abrogat-
ing the treaty entirely.
As our readers by this time are thor
oughiy advised, the Clayten-Bulwer Con-
vention, in the only form il was ever
acted upon by the Senate, distinctly and
absolutely bound the two signatory Pow
tn ira - ro
onize, fortify. occupy, or in any way to
exercise control or sovereignty over any
part OF Nicara qua, Costa Rica, or in sng
part of Central America. A more sweep
ing prohibition could not have been
framed Because of it, and in considera-
tion OF the apparently complete agree
ment Of Great Britain to forego terri
toral ambitions or the Isthmus. of which
we had good reason al the time to sus-
pect that Power. the American Senate of
the day was willing TO accept the terms
prescribed. But, if il had been known
that the British Government would rely
upon suppressed article of which the
final treaty making power Of the United
States had neither notice nor knowledge.
to ignore and violate the plain terms of
the treaty, it is notorious, and was de-
clared in Congress in 1852, that ii never
would have been ratified.
Under that corrupt, non-operatiye. and
secret clause, which pretended to recog-
nize the immunity of Great Britain from
the operation of the treaty as applied to
the Belize. and the Bay Islands, the Brit
ish Government violated and abrogated
-,
civil war and could not efectually resist
it's act of bad faith
All these things. We say. are well
enough known to the diplomats of Europe,
and among them to the diplomats of
France Equal light on the subject has
not dawned upon the exponents of French
opinion as represented in the Partisan
press. For example. leading writer of
the Journal des Debats," NJ Alcide
Ebray. thus criticises the attitude of the
American Senate and, if he did but know
II. that of practically the whole of the
American people. He says:
'tAs friend Of America permit TO call at
iention to one phase of the question, namely
/. the fAilure 10 observe the treaty made With
S\pother Power. II the United States enters upon
such course. all diplomatic communication be-
tween America and tirc Old World will certainly
become very difficult. Thus, though the crowd
-1ay rejoice tine rebuff dealt to England
atesmeD will take a comprehensive view
the situation and remark, hodie tibi, cras
iihi.''
No intelligent French or other Con-
mental editor or writer would ever think
If using such language in connection with
he United States and its relations to the
Clayton Pulwer Convention, if he were in
formed concerning the facts. This is not
2 country in the habit of breaking its
treaty obligations to other civilized States.
It is true that We did abrogate our treaty
OF alliance of 17ss with France, when the
msn of the French Revolution called upon
Us to take up arms in defence OF that move
ment, under conditions noloriously never
contemplated by the treaty. II is equally
true that we violated and abrogated our
treaty of peace and commerce with China,
in passing the Chinese Exclusion law. The
latter YVES an aet dictated by the neces-
sity Of self-preseryation. We were con-
fronted with the alternative of abrogation
or war, at the option OF the Chinese Gov
ernment. we could not tolerate the Mon
golIsn deluge which was fast rolling to-
ward US. We had 10 and did stop it. as
far as legislation could accomplish the OBJ
ject. We do not hold that IT was a course
approved by accepted authorities on in
ternstional law; but u was imperative and
the United States deliberately accepted all
possible consequences in adopting IT,
With the exceptions noted. this country
has been loyal and punctilions in living up
10 its treaty obligations. Especially has
this been true of our international rela-
lions with Great Britain. Early In the
now expiring century. ana for several years
before its opening. England continually
violated her treaties with US, in seizing
nrr' citizens on the high seas and Impress
ing them into the British navy, in main
tanning fortified posts within our boun-
daries contrary 10 the conditions CT the
Treaty Of Paris of 1888. and in various
other ways. Later during the American
civil war. Great Britain did ali possible to
foster the cause OF secession and 10 de-
stroy our commerce and our Union By IT.
ting out and arming Confederate cruisers
manned for the most part by British
subjects, TO prey upon our merchant ma
rine. And. during that same war, Eng
land did what she would not dare to dc
Rad We been at peace. She tore the Clay
ton eulwer Treaty into shreds. and buried