The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-06
NON Up D THE CANAL
Porto Rico Having Been Effect
tuaIIy Disposed Of.
HAY-PAUNCEFOTE TREATY
Its Relations to the Clayton
BuIWer and Other Factors.

washington, May 0--Ih6 startling
anomaly has been presented fnthe con-
sideration Of the Nacaraguan canal bill,
OF active and earnest opposition on the
part of many members of the house while
rot a single person has yet stated on the
floor that he was opposed to a canal join
ing the two oceans.
This has been made possible by the as
sertion Of many prominent men, such as
Uncle joe Cannon, chairman of the
house committee of appropriations; Chair
man Hit, of the committee Of foreign
relations, and Chairman Burton, of the
committee Of rivers and harbors that
they believe this time inopportune for the
consideration of the bill. They all want
the canal, but do not think it should be
built or plans proposef Just a. rne pres
ent time. Yet the bill mas passed the
house by a large majority.
Some time ago a commission was ap-
pointed. with Admiral Walker at the
head. and with an appropriation of some
thing over million dollars, to investi-
gate routes and suggest plans and ideas
10 congress. This commimssion has not
yet reported, and this is one thing which
has actuated prominent leaders in their
opposition to Colonel Hepburn's bill. They
conceived that consideration at this time
would be a practical recognition of the
fact that the commissions time and
money had been spent to no avail
Opposition also came through another
source. The original Hepburn bill pro-
posed TO build canal protected and
guarded and absolutely independent of
any other country. True. this provision
was changed in the bill as it was finally
considered, but there was still the feel
ing that the house should await action by
the senaet on the Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
Ia 1850 the United States and Great
Britain, through John NJ Clayton as
S secretary of state for this country, and
Lord Bulwer as minister from Great
Britain. negotiated a treaty known as
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, which was
ratified by the United States senatef
Article l OF this treaty is as follows:
The governments of the United States
and Great Britain hereby declare that
neither the one nor the other will ever
obtain or maintain for itself any exclus-
i've control over the said ship canal;
agreeing that neither will ever erect or
maintain thereof, or occupy. or fortify, or
COLOMBO or assume or exercise any dom
inion over Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the
Mosquito coast or any part of Central
America; nor will either make use of any
protection which either affords or may
afford or any alliance which either has
or may have, to or with any state or peo-
pie for the purpose of erecting or main
tanning any such fortihcations. or of oc-
cUpying. terrifying or colonizing Nicara-
qua, Costa Rica, the Mosquito coast, or
any part Of Central America, or of as
or exercising dominion over the
same; nor will the United States or Great
Britain take advantage Of any intimacy,
or ues an yalliance, connection or in
duence, that either may possess with any
state or government through whose ter
ritory the said canal may pass. for the
purpose of acquiring or holding, directly
Or indirectly, for the citizens or subjects
u the ore. any rights or advantages in
regard to commerce or navigation
through the said canal which shall not
be offered on the same terms to the citi- I
sens or subjects of the other"
This, it would appear is a very binding
obligation on the part of the United
States not TO build a canal and fortify it
or keep il strictly Independent. But some
If the Hepburn bill advocates and many
,ther9s claimed that the treaty was abro-
rates, through many years and for other
eSsons.
Early in this year. the Hay-Pauncefote
l. r.r,fl
IS strictly binding as the Clayton Bulwer
reaty. which it revived to a certain ex-
eht. also embodied a strict neutrality.
ii some of the bills advocates COM
aenced to attach the treaty. senti-
nent was sought TO be created through
tut the country that the United States
ind Great Britain, largely due to our
ldninistra ton. were in alliance, and that |
deathblow to an independent and ex-
,Iusive and fortified canal was dealt. by |
he deliberate action of the administra- |
ion. Opposed to this contention those |
Who upheld the Hay-Pauncefote treaty |
lrge thai it would be very difficult for |
he United States TO securer concessions |
which must be obtained from Central |
American countries If the canal is TO be |
lug. when il is proposed that the big |
latch shall not be neutral and that the 1
7nited States shall fortify It and main |
ain it independently. What country. |
With these things in view, they ask, would /
rant the needed concession
There has also been disposition on /
ne part of leaders TO see what the SEN
re did with the Hay-Pauncefote treaty |
,efore taking definite action on the canal
Ill
The bill viii now 50 to the senate, |
where both It and the treaty viii prob
bly, receive consideration at this session
f congress.
johnson y High of Arlington. Kan.
as been reinstated i'm the general land
f1ce. This reinstatement shows the
olicy OF the administration towards
hose who left the Republican party, but
ave returned and have done good work
ince their return. and it also shows the
olicy toward reinstating Old soldiers in
he service wherever possible. Mr.. High
yas q chief OF division IN the land Office
uring the Harrison administration. When
fr Cleveland succeeded President Harri-
on, Mr. Hish was dropped from the ser
ice. Mr. High supported Bryan as
gainst Mckinley in the campaign OF
$50. After the Inauguration OF the lat
sr he attempted TO secure reinstatement.
ut this was denied him. Beginning with
SIS. however Mr. High has Zen an &C
i've Republican again. He heartily sup
orted the congressional and state tickets
4 1855, and the county ticket last fan.
ir. High has Just been reinstated. and
III be assigned 70 service in the field as
special agent Of the gener= land Office. |
position which is regarded as a very /
God one.