The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-27
Status of Canal Legislation.

Of the Nicaragua canal enterprise.
Two legislative propositions bearing
on the subject are pending in the sem
ate. One is the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
which is awaiting ratification. In
consideration of England's waving her
right under the on-Bulwer treaty
to joint control of the canal, it agrees
that the United States. while building
and policing the canal. shall keep it
open on equal terms to the ships Of
all nations, in both peace and war;
neutrality in war.
To this treaty vociferous objection
has arisen on the ground that it
throws away our right to close the
canal to the ships of an enemy at war
with us. The objection is ill-con-
sidered, for the reason that while the
canal is to be neutral under the treaty,
both its approaches outside the three
mile limit, are subject to dominance
by our navy. Naval experts and most
military experts agree that, looking
at the matter simply from the stand
point Of warlike expediency. it would
be preferable to keep the other powers
under bonds to respect the canals neu-
trality in war, relying upon our naval
strength to dispose of an enemy's fleet,
than to maintain expensive land forti-
fications which an enemy by land
sortie might seize and turn against
us.
But the opponents Of a neutral canal
succeeded last May in putting through
the house, by an overwhelming ma
jority, and have made special order
in the senate for Dec. TO- bill of
which the following is a summary:
Section 1 authorizes the president TO
ragua control of the territory through
which the canal will pass, from Grey
town on the east to Breto on the west,
and appronriates such sum as may
be necessary to secure such control no
specific amount being mentioned.
Section empowers the secretary of
war. when such control has been Sc
cured, to eXcavate and construct a
canal of sufficient capacity and depth
to accommodate vessels of the largest
tonnage and greatest depth, with safe
and commodious harbors at the ter
mini, and such provisions for defense
as may be necessary for the safety
and protection of said canal and har-
bors.' Section provides for the neces-
sary surveys. Section 4 directs the
use of the San Juan river and Lake
Nicaragua wherever practicable.
Section ) authorizes the use of the
canal by Costa Rica and Nicaragua
Section 6 appropriates the sum of $lO,-
100000 to begin the project, authorizes
the secretary Of war to make contracts
for excavation, material, and construc-
ton, and limits the total cost to $l4O,-
600 900.
The pivot of controversy in this meas
ure is the quoted clause in section two.
The Hay-Pauncefote treaty distinctly
agrees that mo Notifications shall be
erected commanding the canal or the
waters adjacent" The bill put for
ward as a substitute for the Hay
Pauncefote treaty empowers the secre-
tary OF war to make "such provisions
for defense as may be necessary for
the safety and protection of said canal
and harbors.' The vagueness and
elasticity of the last quoted clause are
obvious: and what is more to the
point, until the Clayton-B -Bulwer treaty
is amended by mutual agreement be-
tween the United States and Great
Britain. it Is not in the power of the
congress at Washington to empower
the secretary Of war to do what the
above bill proposes to do
Prior to the presidential election thsre
We're men in congress who We're so re-
luctant TO appear as favoring fair play
with England that as an alternative
they would have been willing to advo-
cate contemptuous disregard of a NOR
ally binding treaty agreement. Whether
the passing of campaign eXigencies has.
rectifled their moral vision remains to
be seen; but we feel convinced that
President Mckinley will approve no
canal bill which rests upon sounda-
tion of national bad faith. He is i'm
position to be absolutely independent
and resolute.
A Boston dermatologist has Just been
mulcted to the extent of $500 for hay-
ing spoiled the beauty of an actress
upon the threshold of fame. The de-
fendant in the suit for damages en-
deavored by surgical operation to
remove "a crease from her cheek. Ma
ture did not respond readily to the
efforts of the physicians in the way of
Improvement Instead of producing ad-
ditional attractions, the incision made
by the knife caused one of the lady's