The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-13
CIRCULATION STATEMENT.
TUESDAY. MARCH IS, 1900.


prophets OF the cult which teaches thai
the British lion and the American LIANT
shall lie down together-the lamb on the
inside. finer doctrinal sermon. for the
purpose of intoxicating this great truth
than the y-Pauncefote Treaty consti-
tutes ii would he impossible for the An
glo-American combination mentioned 10
prepare TO preach. II teaches us that
our old Monroe Doctrine contention is and
always was mere foollshness. and that it
would be wicked for us TO fortify any
thing in this hemisphere which might
happen to be necessary to the prcserva-
ion OF our pretended paramountcy, or to
the protection of our separated coast lines.
because any such action would necessa-
rily and properly he regarded by England
as evidence OF suspicion and unfriendship.
Countries dominated by administrations
under the control OF oligarchies, the latter
recognizing suzcrainty in a foreign power.
are essentially not sovereign. They
must recognize as improper and in
prudent on their part things which their
suzerain would do as a matter of course.
Thus, the Republican Administration can
not allow the Nicaragua Canal to be built
without first making a deal with England
and secretly acting for the Concert Of
Europe against any movement by the
American Senate or people intended to de-
feat the arrangement. Whereas It is no.
torious that Americans universally de-
mand the right 10 own, operate, and de-
fend their national waterway between the
oceans. they are TO be deprived of that
privilege by a compact as to which 70 one
has had voice. the contracting executive
excepted, and to which all other American
elements object.
AS a pain often imposed by suzerain
upon subject States, perhaps we should
submit TO this. but it is not mandatory upon
us to dc so willingly. We cannot forget
that when France desired TO build a canal
across the lsthmus Of Panama the vyur,.
was undertaken without cur permission
being asked or considered worth asking.
But now. when We wish TO dig the Nicaragua
Canal. Cur State Department feels CON-
PEELED to beg for the permission OF Eng
land and Of all Continental Europe. And
the most humiliating part of the business
is that the permission so asked and OBJ
tanned is coupled with a provision that
though we may be allowed 10 pay the cost
of construction and maintenance, il can
not be tolerated that We should defend our
own ditch or close 1t to an enemy in time
OF war
Our greatest commercial rival and an
cient oppressor and enemy does not accept
such dictation from other countries. Eng
land does not stand upon ceremony or
courtesy in fortifying against her neigh
bors. although it is true that she turns very
ugly when rley cover with works and guns
anything she wants or may want in The
future. England seized and holds Gibrsi,
tar. the great fortress commanding the
mouth Of the Mediterranean. she seized
Egypt and holds it that she may have a
firm grip on the Suez Canal. which she viii
close whenever it suits her purpose She
has filled the West Indies with her naval
and coaling stations and forts. that she
may dominate the Nicaragua Canal when
built, and naturally, she does not mean
that it shall be made defensible against
her by another nstior, especially By ths
United States.
II We had national party control with
a drop of American blood in it or a spark
of the American courage that backed The
War of Independence or the War OF 1s12
the Administration would he now busy in
direction other than that of trying to
force this country into surrender of its
American psramountcy, of its Monroe Dec
trine. and of its right to fortify and pro-
tect its own property in spite of all Eu-
rope. II would be now asking England
what is meant by the construction of a
British Gibraltar, consisting OF fifteen 20
twenty forts and masked earthWori S.
mounted with the heaviest aud most de-
structiye guns known to modern science,
at the mouth OF our Puget Sound? It
would be asking questions and warning
Congress and the cosntry TO prepare for
an inevitable struggle with our SNUG and
hypocritieal ally. instead OF crawling in
the dust to the latter and admonishins
US that We must do nothing to rouse TIE
lion.
AT Halifax, Bermuda. the Barbados,
the Bahamas, st. Lucia. Jamaica. and
throughout the West Indies, England has
been preparing for war for years. speak
ing us fair meanwhile. We have gone on
stupidity and ignorantly, never dreaming
that these things mean serious and early
trouble. The majority of people in the
Union have not even understood the mil
itary significance of the British demand
for a strip OF our Alaskan Coast and a
harhor u hss until now escaped public !
attention the great Qualifications at
Esquimait were rot begun until the claim |
was entered for part of our Alaskan ter
ritory. But the purpose of all these de-
yeiopments and movements has been |
plain enough TO those who have studied |
the history Of British diplomacy. coisni-
cation, and aggression. Great Britain's
statesmen thoroughly understand that I
the United States in upchalIenged con-
troll Of the Nicaragua Canal, with ex- |
elusive possession of the Alaskan coast. |
ana her present foothold In the Far East |
would soon become the leading CONNER
cial power Of the world. Agains; such an |
erentuality England has arrogantly en-
circled us with her guns and fleets from |
Esquimalt on the west 10 Halifax on the /
..st- Unless public opinion Is strong