The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-10

a -
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
the first time conceded by Great Britain.
II Is wise and just therefore, that the
value Of this concession to US should be
estimated as a great consideration Tor
anything we may yield, IL we. indeed,
4 yield anything, In acquiring the exclusive
right to control the canal by modihca-
ton OF the Clayton Bulwer treaty.
I'm the convention of February ;, 1900,
Great Britain agreed that the restrictions
as to the exclusive control Of the canal
Imposes by the Clayton Bulwer treaty
shall continue to bind her, while the
( United states is released from 1t.
This leaves US free to ACQUIRE from
/ Costa Rica and Nicaragua the exclusive
control Of the canal for the government
or for our citizens under this. protection
I of the United States while IL cuts off
I Great Britain from any such right
/ Speaking OF the restrictions in the
/ treaty the report says:
These grounds Of objection to our ex-
| elusive control Of the canal are all re-
! moved by this convention except those
that relate to fortihcations, which being
! expressly stated are retained In a new or
I modified form.
"If this convention Is ratified Great Bril-
! tain could rot negotiate with Costa Riee
or Nicaragua or any other American state
for any right to build, own. control, man
! age. regulate or protect canal 70 connect
I the oceans while the United states is lett
10 enter upon and conclude such negotia-
lions.
There is nothing therefore to the preju-
dice of the United States in the convention
OF February 5. 1900.
Neutrality of the Canal.
mo American statesman, speaking with
official authority or responsibility, has ever
intmated that the United States would at
tempt to control this canal for the ex-
cusion benefit OF our government or people.
They have all with one accord declared that
the canal was to be neutral even in time
| Of war and always open, on terms Of Inn
partial equity. to ships and commerce of
! the world.
Special treaties for the neutrality. i'm
Partially, freedom and innocent use OF
| the canals that are to be the eastern and
western gateways of commerce between
the great oceans are not in keeping With
the magnitude and universally ~ the
| blessings they must confer unon mankind.
| The subject rather belongs to the doin9in
| of international law
Matter of international Law.
THE leading powers OF Europe reeog
| nzed the importance OF this subject In
respect to the Suez canal and ordained
! public international act for its neutralza-
| lion that IL an honor to the civilization Of
| the age. It is the benefcent work Of all
| Europe and not OF Great Britain alone.
Whatever canal is built in the Isthmus Of
| Darien viii be ultimately made subject
| to the same law OF freedom and neutrality
| as governs the Suez canal as part OF
the laws OF nations, ana no single power
will be able to resist its control.
Cannot Now Change Front.
isThe United states cannot take an at
| ,itude OF opposition to the principles of
| the great act of October o. lssS. without
| discrediting the official declarations Of our
government for fifty years on the neutral
! stv Of an isthmian canal and its equal use
| by all nations without discrimination
ITO set UP the selfish motive OF gain
| by establishing "a monopoly of a highway
/ Ia AHrtyA It's income =
! ronage OF all maritime countries would he
| unworthy of the United States IL we own
| ed the country through which the canal
! Is TO be built"
strategic characteristics.
| Touching upon the strategic character
| istic OF the canal the report says
1--WE stipulate against the blockade Of
| the canal by any nation.
| In conditions that may not be entirely
| remote we would find this provision In
| letting our ships through the canal free
| from capture by our enemy OF great Sc
| eurity TO the coastwise trade
with our naval bases at Manila,
| Honolulu. san Francisco and san Diego
! on one side, and at san Juan. Puerto
| Rico ard The isle of Pines and Key West,
| the other fortified naval stations on the
| ether side Il IA extremely improbable
] that feet would cross either of the
| great oceans and approach the canal to
| ind a gateway to the coasts OF the other
IF we are not able to handle an enemy
| under such Disadvantages 10 them, our
| power Of resistance 20 such campaign
would te unworthy Of our country. III Il
| would not be mdlcrous."
Fortineations Are Unnecessary.
| As 20 the prohibition OF tortifications,
| the report says;
| with the military police ~ the United
| States provided for IN this convention for
| the protection az this canal. It's defense
| can be made perfect against any foreign
power that Ia not strong enough ta oc-
! cupy the country and hold It against all
| Corners.
| In any event u war is to come that
/ will involve the ownership or control ~
! the canal or the rsht ~ passage through
( Il. no battle should be fought IN the re-
eion near t. To make the canal a bat
/ tla ground IL necessarily TO expose IL 10
I destruction. and the erection ~ tortresses
| for rs pFotoction Will invite hostihties IN
| but the real danger to the canal. from
/ the absence % fQruNcati0ns, Is $50 slight
/ and improbable that les discussion appears
! 10 be unnecessary. II scarcely rs concoiva-
I BE that Great Britain would send a fleet
( across the Atlantic GO attack our Western
coasts, or across the Pacific 20 attack our
4 Eastern coasts
"tn the event ~ such wars the neutrality
4 ~ the canal secured ~ tac consensus ~
/ al nations would operate 10 our advamsARe
z oy bringing eur SHIPS ~ war safely from
( ocean t9 ecean, Into quick access 60 oar
+ ~Ru me canal is not dedicated 60 war
Z bar 90 peaee and whatever shah better
+ secure lust and hoBorahie Vcace s q tri-
Z Umrh
/ senator Morxaa's Minority Report.
I Senator Morgan, later ir the Saw Sled
E minority rro,rt opposing the Amendment
4 After announcing hts cancurrerca Ir the
I main resEr. retc1Ttne to ne atstoTA es lhe
( veneas t3 poe consideration ~ tna' treste
Z az AFertAt hN tHf raattg& 1ErrE mnrt tfo