The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-18


r. Proctor il his lecture before the School
OF Diplomacy on Friday evening. A bstter
forum could not have been selected by the
friends of the measure, because, as the
only American institution in which dplo-
macy is taught as a science, ard with
professorate including. some OF the best
of our jurists and dplomatists, what Is
presented in its lecture halls naturally car
ries weight with the country. 1t must be
remembered, however, in this connection
that the School of Diplomacy is strictly
scientific and neither political nor partisan.
The student body. composed OF graduates of
leading American universities, and inc.ud-
ing men OF many professions. with t5e full
concurrence of the faculty, is always
pleased 10 listen TO the views OF people who
in any direction are leaders of thought in
matters within the purview of its mission.
SO it must not be taken fer granted by
advocates OF the Hay Pauncefote Treaty in
Congress that because the clever and cru
dite plea for that mea cure, presented by
Mr. Proctor, was listened TO with earness
attention. and heartily applauded at its
close, that, therefore the views of the lee
turer were adopted by or were in agree
ment with the ideas and convictions OF his
auditors. AS we have said, probably the best
that could be said for the treaty was said
by Mr.. Proctor, who has devoted time and
study TO the history of the matter from the
inception of the Clayton Bulwer Treaty
down TO the present time. He believes
that Secretary Hay has accomplished dis
tinct diplomatic victory in securing the
adherence of Great Britain TO this latest
proposed solution of the canal question.
The depressing history OF the business
at large does not seem TO us TO shed much
glory on our diplomacy, but, such as il
is, it is clear and beyond question. When
that splendid American expansionist,
Polk, was President Of the United States
his Minister TO Central america, in 1s4s,
negotiated treaty with Nicaragua by
the terms Of which this country was TO
have the right to build an interoceanic
canal, to own il, coE,rol II, and fortify IL.
The Minister who so ably succeeded
n accomplishing this service for his Gov
eminent started for Washington, but.
ewing to the limitations OF travel in that
day, did not reach home until after the
inauguration Of a new and hostile Admin
istration. When he reached the Capital
he found Clayton, the person who has
cone more to humilate the American peo-
pie and make them ashamed OF their name
than any creature after Benedict Arnold,
in control of the State Department. He
tod
ton promptly took 1t to the British Min
lister. Sir Edward Bulwer, and read it to
him with apologies, declaring that il had
been drawn without authority from this
Government.
Immediately, and under conditions
which are well illustrated in the quasi
libelous gossip OF she time. this Ameri-
can diplomstist, Clayton, at once pro-
ceeded TO arrange a treaty which gave
England every advantage which the sup
pressed convention secured 20 the United
States. The Clayton ulwer infamy was
the result, and II was rsilroaded through
the Senate. which had been kept in ignor-
ance of the treaty which ought 10 have
been and could have been secured.
OF all the ministers who have ably
and TO the ridicule Of the United States
represented the British Government in the
United States since the War of Independ-
ence. the most cynical and contemptuous
Of American honor and good faith was
Sir Edward Bulwer. 1t WIS the COM
mon talk of his day that his dipio-
matte victories in this country were
won by the liberal drafts he drew upon
the secret service fund of the Foreign
Once In London. This matter. however,
In the present connection, is one too deli
cate TO justify much discussion. But IL
is pertinent to the subject TO remind
our readers that although the Clayton
Buiwer Treaty distinctly denounced The
idea that England should ever attempt ts
acquire sovereignty over any territory in
Central America, Sir Edward BulweT
probably by an ex post facto exercise o.
his peculiar persuasive powers was able
10 secure an admission from Mr.. Clayton
that this provision did not apply 10 th'
Bay islands nor 20 the Mosquito Coast
the two subjects that were pointedly IL
contemplation under the terms OF III,
treaty.
30. Mr.. Proctor feels assured that The
Clayton Bulwer perfdy definitely and
fpally bound us to the British chariot
wheel, and that II is a Good thing we are
allow ed TO have canal Of American char
sste-. even nominslly, through the isthmus
But for Clsyton's perfidy, he thinks the
chances ale that England would saye ac-
Quired the whole OF Central America b,
this time; but with this view we are I'M
sble to agree. In ls4s the British Gov
eminent ives uneasy about the United
States. We had just expanded" as re-
sult OF the Mexican war. There was q
chance, as things were regarded in Lon
don, that America might do what she Is
trying TO do now, namely. take over I
strip on the isthmus and connect hei
East and West coast lines. II was appre
hended that 10 secure free hand fol
this purpose, the Washington Government
might enter into an alliance with Russia
and thus gain strength enough TO def,
England. In the light Of after events &
would have been vastly better II exactl,
this had happened. But we went int'
the Clayton Bnlwer arrangement instead
there was a valuable consideration, a.
usual, and the march of American prog
ress was blocked for two II not for thre'
generations. Many observers of the pres
-. as- eserr IN entertain the notiol