The Washington times., 1901-07-19
CANAL TREATY PROSPECTS.
Lord PauncefOte Conducting NegO'
tiatiOns in London.
The British Ambassador Hopes to
bring Back the Basis of n New
Convention When He Returns to
Americn-Thc Alaskan boundary

LONDON. July 1S-Lord Pauncefote,
the British Ambassador to the United
States. said today that there really had
been no change in the Nicaraguan treaty
situation since his arrival in London. be
yona the fact that the British Govern
ment was thoughtfully considering pro-
posals which he had mailed shortly before
leaving Washington. The Government was
endeavoring to make treaty which VIII
be acceptable to the United State" and
also fair to England
He had not determined what changes
If any, to suggest when the proposals are
decided upon or the nature Of the com
ments upon the proposals which VIII now
be submitted They will take the usual
course in such affairs. The proposals VIII
be referred to Secretary Hay, who will
make his own comments thereon, and then
they will be referred back to Downing
Street This will continue until Lord
Pauncefote returns to the United States
in November, when. he says. he may carry
the basis of a treaty which President Nc
kinney and Secretary Hay may consider
satisfactory, for submission to the Senate.
Lord Pauncefote added in a pleased
manner that so far no hitch or difficulty
had arisen He spoke hopefully of the
Senate ratifying the five West India reel
procity treaties. When questioned in re-
gard to the Alaskan boundary dispute,
Lord Pauncefote said he must not be OPP
timistic but he was glad to note that the
Boston Chamber of Commerce had sug-
gested a reciprocity treaty between the
United States and Canada. The Ambas
sador added:
IF once this movement is started. i
feel that it will lead toward the solution
of number OF outstanding questions
In answer to enquiries on the subject
today. the Foreign Office confirms the
statement that the Government is
seriously considering the new proposals.
LONDON, July 19.-The canal and
Alaskan questions have been so eXhaus-
lively commented upon in the past that
few papers find anything to say regard
ing Lord Pauncefote's statement. The
Chronicle however, thinks the state
ment puts a new and very hopeful com
plexion on the canal dispute, while the
Boston petition is another good omen.
The Daily AIaiF' thinks the statement
is hopeful and reassuring. 1t anticipates
that it will be found that Great Britain
has consented to the fertilization of the
canal, and expresses the opinion that it
it IS fortified or not.
The Daily News" admits the claim of
the United States to predominance in the
canal and regards the difficulties regard
ing its fertilization as more nominal than
real.
The interview of Lord Pauncefote. the
British Ambassador TO the United States.
on the canal negotiations. in which he
hell iaT har 11l r--al ~
would be formed and accepted, IS regarded
here as significant of a purpose to pre-
pare the British public for a change of
policy. Lord Pauncefote speaks of reach
ing a happy medium in the negotia-
tiOns as if eacr country were to concede
something. when in fact he fully real
izes that the United States Senate does
not propose to make any concession what
ever.
The result of Secretary Hays soundings
of the Senate. after adjournment, was, 1t
may be recalled, that no treaty could be
expected to secure two-thirds vote
which did not eInbody the features incor-
porated in the ay-Pauncefote Conyen-
tion by the Davis and other amendments
Lord Pauncefote went home, realizing
that this was practically an American ui-
timatum and he is evidently now prepar-
ing the British public to accept it.
England wants the canal: with her
great shipping she would make more use
of II than we would. and so she is in
clined to ind way to accept the Sem
ate conditions. believing that American
common sense would prevent their rigid
enforcement. Even if the permission to
fOrtifS were given US England believes
we would never plant millions of dollars
in fOrtifications there to become in war
the prize Of the strongest power Of the
sea. SO while Lord Pauncefote's inter-
view was intended primarily for the
british public. it is very significant to US
of what is coming.
He also alluded TO the Joint High COM
mission and its work IL Is known here
that the members Of the commission are
already discussing a reassemblaEe. al
though 10 formal plans for it have vet
been laid before the State Department.