The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-11-05
0ncu-nt.on statcmcnt.
Lions on the To,vpath.

Assertions private. semi-ofIiciaIiv in
spired, and based on deductions of one
sort or another. are so iusistent that
tho new canal agreement with Great
Britain is utterly free from the objec-
uonable features that killed the pro
posed Hay-PaUncefote convention. that
We are tempted TO accept them as prob
ably true Having been nearly caught
once before, we shall still maintain an
attitude of pendent reserve until the
IA text Of the treaty has been re-
leased. The chances seem 20 be that
the British Government has decided to
give us a free hand in Central America.
trusting 20 the effect of such action
upon public sentiment in this country
to strengthen the entente between the
two Governments. If all we hear con-
corning the arrangement be true. il will
have that effect. The alleged Clayton
Bulwer Treaty and the baseless and i'm
pudent pretension Of Canada to Ameri-
can territory i'm Alaska Of late years
have been the almost sole causes of ir-
ritauOn in the United States against
Great Britain. Remove these. and
there is no apparent reason why Anglo
Saxon kinship should not assert itself.
and an era of good feeling. of particular
value TO the Old Country at the present
time, be inaugurated
As fl would seem. the danger TO the
national Nicaragua Canal enterprise
does not now arise from international
differences. but from combination of
interests opposed to the construction Of
any waterway between the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans. Hitherto we have ex-
planned how the SUez and Panama Ca
nal Companies have combined with the
trans-cOntinentaI railways in an organ
izatior designed 10 combat ratification
Of any treaty looking 70 construction
of the Nicaragua Canal a new mem
Der Of the coalition is likely TO appear
but To appear as little as possible in
public-in the form of the Canadian
Government oar London advices Of
yesterday and today show that there is
some anxiety on the other side for fear
the Dominion authorities may once
mere assume their favorite role Of mar
plot, and join hands with the enemies
Of the canal to help kill the treaty. if
that be possible. London papers and
correspondents are commenting criti-
cally upon the attitude Of the Cana
diaus in opposing formal abrogation Of
The dead ana buried Clayton Bulwer
Treaty. unless. as a quid pro quo. En-
gland shall insist upon a large slice OF
Alaska with the Lynn Canal and a
stretch of coast thrown in. for their
benefit.
The bonq is paror11Iv- ay-rreCca5 tb1r
the influence Of SIR Wifrid Laurier will
BE- used. and viii be potent enough to
prevent Interference from Ottawa with
the plans of the British Foreign Office.
But these expressions ignore the facts
OF the Canadian Premier's environment
He must maintain his popularity to
safeguard his leadership. and the colo
NAL politician who should not shout for
Alaskan territory to be wrested from
the United States b. any means avail
able would not be popular enough 20
secure the ofIye of turnkey in village
lookup.
one or the abIest organizers Of great
things this country ever has produced
is credited with being the secret head
OF the anti-canal combination. and, un-
der his leadership it goes without say
iEs that the fight would be one Of
money against duty, integrity and the
universal demand Of the people. II the
canal proposition. and satisfactory
treaty with Great Britain removing Jb-
stacles in the way Of it. should be ie-
fe9ted at the next session Of Congress.
il would be only accomplished by the
lavish use Of a huge sum Of money.
That Is the greatest lion i'm the path Of
Tie Nicaragua Canal today