Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-26
ENGLAND EXPLAINS
Why She Rejects the Hay
Pauncefote Treaty.
Anxious to See United States Con-
troll the Nicaraguan Canal
But Cannot Give Up Principles Accented bv
Both Cou ,tr;cs.

Washington. March 25-The answer
for the British government expressing
its inability to accept the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty in the form amended by the
United States Senate was made public.
today. 1t is in the form of a commu-
nication from Lord LansdoWne. Brit
iSh minister of foreign affairs, to Lord
Pauncefote. and asks the latter to read
the dispatch 10 the secretary of state
and to leave a copy in his hands.
Lord Lansdowna begins by saving
there was no desire on the part of the
British government 10 change the
Clayton Bulwer treaty. But some OF
its provisions, he says. had been re-
garded with disfavor by the govern
ment of the United States and in the
Presidents message of December. 1925
it was urged that the national policy
called more imperatively than ever for
the control of the projected highway
by the government of the United
States. Lord Pauncefote made inquiry
of the secretary of state as to the atti-
tude of the President, the result being
summarized by Lord LansdoWne as
follows:
In reply. the views of the United
States government We're very frankly
and openly explained. You were most
empha tically assured that the Prcsi-
dent had no intention whatever of ig-
noring the Clayton Bulwer convention
and that he would loyalty observe
treaty stipulations. But in view of
the strong national feeling in favor Of
the construction of Nicaragua canal
and of the improbability of the work
being accomplished by private enter
prise the United States government
was prepared to undertake it upon OBJ
tanning the necessary powers from
Congress. For that purpose, however
it must endeavor. by friendly negotia-
tions, to obtain the consent of Great
Britain to such a modification of the
Clayton Bulwer treaty as. without af-
fecting the general principle therein
declared, would enable the great object
in view to be accomplished. for the
benefit of the commerce of the world"
NThc result. however, Of the discus
sions, Lord Lansdowne says. was the
treaty which Mr.. Hay handed to Lord
Pauncefote in January, 1899 The Brit
ish government was not yet prepared
to accept the treaty, as serious diff
culties had arisen in seeking to ar
range affairs then pending before the
Joint high commission and Lord Sails
bury did not see how Her MaieSty's
government could sanction any con-
vention for amending the Clayton
Bulwer treaty. as the opinion of this
country would hardly support them in
making a concession which would be
wholly to the benefit of the United
States, at a time when they appeared
to be so little inclined to come to a
satisfactory settlement in regard to
the Alaskan frontier"
Later, the introduction of the Mic
araguan bill in Congress revived at
tenticn to the treaty and it was ac-
cepted. LOrd LdnsdOwne saying: Her
Majesty's government after due con-
sideration. determined to accept the
convention Internationally. as a signal
proof of their friendly disposition and
of their desire not to impede the exc
cuton of project declared to he of
national importance to the people of
the United States
Lord Lansdowne then discusses the
right of the United States to annul the
Clayton Bulwer treaty. saying: THE
Clayton bulNeT treaty is an lnteriid-
tional contract of unqueStionable val
idity: a contract which. according to
well-established international usage.
ought not to be abrogated or modified
save with the consent of both parties
to the contract"
Lord Lansdowne then considers the
Senate amendments declaring that the
Clayton-Bulw treaty is hereby SUI
rerseded' opposing this contention He
lays most stress. however. upon the
other Senate amendments and says
they present more formidable difficult
ties. on these he says:
1.-The first of them. which reserves to
the United States the right of taking
CONTINUED on page 81