Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1900-03-15
OUR RIGHT TO DEFEND.
1t Should be Conceded in Build
ing Nicaragua Canal
ENGLAND CAN'T INTERFERE
Report Made by Senate's Foreign Re-
IatiOns Committee Says that Uncle
Sam Will he Able to Hold the Canal
Against Any Enemy.

| day reported the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty amending the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty, with AN amendment granting
authority for the defense of the canal
by this country when constructed.
Referring to the Clayton -Bulwer
treaty the committee says it certain
ly avoided hostile collision between
the two great powers (England and
| the United States) whatever may have
been its faults as an entangling alli-
| ance, or national humiliation to us, or
as the cause of heated diplomatic con-
| troversy.
"Since 1860 the ClaytonBulwer
treaty has been in some way recog-
nized by the government in each of
| the succeeding administrations as Ii
subsisting compact.
''Strong reasons for its abrogation
have been frequently stated, and some
have always denied it's obligatory
force, but no movement to accomplish
that result has been made.
'As matters stand it has been a
race between American and British
concessionaires as to which of them
should gain the control of the canal.
One company being installed would,
necessarily, exclude any other.
"rhe right to footing in Nicara-
qua, thus acquired by Great Britain,
is full of peril to this republic and
could only be disposed of by further
| agreements, or by war, or by uniting
the interests of both governments in
the joint ownership and control of the
canal. Such an arrangement would
| be a fatal mistake that would soon
| involve the countries in war, or 1T
would enlarge the scheme of alliance
that is embodied in the ClaytOn-Bul-
| wer treaty into a practical alliance,
| offensive and defensive, in the control
| of navigation and the commerce of
teh world. 1t is these later treaties
that present the real ground of our
| present difficulty, from which the con-
vention of 1900 relieves us.
Coming to the pending treaty, the
report says: NO other nation except
| the United States could have so great
| an interest in the exclusive right to
| own and control an isthmian canal,
burt in this matter, come what may,
we are compelled to assert the supe-
lsLg aql 10Y 4Mou 'lq5!L Lno 10 Al!Lo!L
time conceded by Great Britain. 1t is
wise, therefore, that the value of this
concession to us should be estimated
as a great consideration for anything
we may yield. if we, indeed yield any
thing, in acquiring the exclusive right
to control the canal by modification
of the Clayton Bulwer treaty.
"In the convention of February 5,
1900, Great Britain agrees that the re-
striction as to the exclusive control Of
the canal imposed bv the Clayton
Bulwer treaty shall continue to bind
her, while the United States is releas-
ed from it.
This leaves us free to acquire from
Costa Rica and Nicaragua the eXclu
sive control of the canal for the gov
ernment, or for our citizens under
the protectio of the United States,
while it cuts off Great Britain from
any such right"
Speaking of the restrictions in the
treaty the report says: These
grounds of objection to our exclusive
control of the canal are all removed
by this convention, except those that
relate to fortitications, which, being
expressly restated, are retained in u
new or modified form.
.If this convention is ratified, Great
ia Rica or Nicaragua or any other
American state for any right to build.
own, control, manage. regulate or pro-
tect a canal to connect the oceans,
while the United States is left free TO
conclude such negotiations.
Touching upon the strategic I'M
portance of the canal the report says:
I'VE stipulate against the blockade of
the canal by any nation.
In conditions that may not be en-
tire.y remote, we would find this pro-
vision, in letting our ships through
the canal free from capture by our
enemy, of great security to our coast
wise trade.
with our naval bases at Manila,
Honolulu, Sam Francisco and san Di-
ego Cn one side, and at San Juan,
Porto Rico, the Isle of Pines and Key
West, with ether fortified naval sta
tions on the other side, it is improb-
able that fleet would cross either of
the great oceans and approach the
canal to find a gateway to the coasts
of the other ocean
AS to the prohibition of fortifica-
tons the report says: with the
military police by the United States,
provided for in this convention for the
protection of the canal, its defense
can be made perfect against any for
eign power that is not strong enough
to occupy and hold i. against all com
erS.
In any event, if wars are to come
that will involve the control of the
canal or the right of passage through
it, no battle should ever be fought in
80 ,,,,.;C,, nna,, tp II -
Senator Morgan filed minority To-
port opposing the amendment, in
which he SAYS that "Great Britain
confers no right on the United States
as to anything in Nicaragua or Costa
Rica-"