The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-12-04
THE CANAL TREATY SIGNED
Secretary Hay and Lord pauncefote
Complete the Negotiations.
POINTS CONCEDED BY ENGLAND
BY the Terms OF the New Convention t.
United States VIII Become the Sole
Guarantor Of the Neutrality of the
Waterway, without Restriction as to
the Right to Fortify-Ready For Senate

Guarantor Of the Neutrality of the
Waterway, without Restriction as to
| the Right to Fortify-Ready For Senate
Washington, D. Gin an informal,
almost casual manner, the treaty
which there is every reason to believe
will end the long deadlock over the
| Nicaragua canal has been signed by
Secretary Hay and Lord Pauncefote.
Those who imagined that the signing
Of treaty destined to become historic
is matter of ceremonious pomp, were
| disappointed by the severely business
like manner in which the negotiation
was completed.
Lord Pauncefore appeared at the
State. War and Navy building in his
carriage, accompanied by Percy Wind
ham, the second Secretary Of the Brit
ish Embassy The two men came into
the State Department corridors with
so little ceremony that their presence
there was unknown urtil they had
been in conference with Secretary Hay
for half an hour.
The conference lasted for about an
hour. At its close Mr.. Hay sent for
Sidney Smith, Chief of the Diplomatic
Bureau of tie State Department, and
then summoned William Cwin and
Eddie Savoy, his messengers. These
three, with Mr.. Windham, were the
witnesses to the signing of the treaty.
Gwin ard Savoy are colored men,
and this is not the first treaty they
have attested. They began their SER
vice in the State Department under
Hamilton Fish, and have been there
ever since as personal attendants on
the various Secretaries Of State. They
are former slaves.
Mr.. Smith had the American copy
of the treaty with him, the British
copy having been brought by Mr..
Windham. The treaty was signed on
the long table in the diplomatic room.
Gwin held the silver candlestick
which contained the taper used to
burn the red sealing wax. Mr.. Smith
attached the great seal Of the United
States, and Mr.. Windham the royal
seal, and then Mr. Hay and Lord
Pauncefote attached their personal
signatures.
If there was anything apl 80. hing
ceremonial, It was in the putting out
of the candle. 1t Is never blown out
on such occasions, but must be snuffed
out with q silver extinguisher.
The text Of the treaty will, Of course,
be scrupulously kept secret until after
the Senate has acted. All publications
purporting to give the text have been
compiled by the simple device of copy
ing all the clauses Of the old treaty
known to be not in issue, and insert
ing the gist of imaginary clauses
which present what are known to be
the points conceded by Great Britain.
These points are as follows:
The partnership between Great Bri-
tain and the United States Is dissolved.
The United States is the sole guaran-
tor of the neutrality of the canal.
Great Britain withdraws all preten-
sions to any share in the control or
responsibility. The United States has
not only, the right to build, but the
right 10 fortify the canal. This is not
stated. in terms, but it is quite as ef-
fectively granted by the cutting out of
the old provicion forbidding this, which
was the only thing that ever stood In
the way Of fortiacation. All COM
meree passing through the canal will
fare alike and there will be no dis
elimination in favor Of American ship
ping. These points are the only ones
of difference between the old and the
new treaty.
A high official has stated that Great
Britain met the representatives of the
United States in a spirit Of fairness.
and with no disposition to make exor-
bitant claims. and that she recognized
fully and candidly the view that the
canal was a matter of worldwide i'm
portance n of interest to all nations.
In which the United States should
have the exclusive right to control.
Great Britain yielded as a matter OF
right, and not at all grudgingly. The
treaty was drawn up in Washington,
and assented without substantial va
ration by Great Britain.