The times., 1901-03-26

speedy answer with regard to the con-
vention, the Marquis of Salisbury in
formed MIR. White. the American Charge
d'Affaires. that he could not help con-
trasting the precarious prospects and
slowness of the negotiations which were
being conducted by Lord Herschell with
the rapidity Of decision proposed in the
matter of the convention. Her Majesty $
Government might be reproached with
having come to precipitate agreement
OF proposal which was exclusively faV-
orable to the United States, while they
had come 10 no agreement at all on the
controversy where there was something
to be conceded on both sides.
Shortly afterward Lord Herschell in
timated that the difficulties in regard to
the question of the Alaskan boundary
seemed insuperable, and that he feared
il might be necessary to break OF the
negotiations Of which he had hitherto had
the charge. Upon this Lord Salisbury IN
formed MIR. White that he did not see
how her Majesty's Government could
sanction any convention for amending the
Clavton-BuIwer Treaty. as the opinion of
this country would hardly support them
in making 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 from
tier.
The last meeting of the Joint High
Commission took place on February
%. 1899. Except for the establishment OF
d modus vivendi on the Alaskan frontier.
no progress has been made since that
date toward the adjustment of any Of the
questions which the High Commissioners
were appointed to discuss.
CONCESSIONS To AMERICA
'It was in these circumstances that the
proposal for a canal convention was re-
vived at the beginning Of last year. On
January q your Iordship reported that a
bill. originally introduced in 1899, had
been laid before Congress. empowering
the President to acquire from the Re
publics of Costa Rica and Nicaragua the
control of such portion of territory as
might be desirable or necessary, and to
direct the Secretary Of War, when such
control had been secured. to construct the
canal and make such provisions for de-
fence as might be required for the safety
and protection of the canal and the termi-
nal harbOrs.
1T was probable that the bill would be
passed. and il was clear that additional
embarrassment would be caused by an
enactment opposed to the terms of the
proposed convention and in direct viola
tion of the Clayton Bulwer Treaty. On
the other hand your lordships informa
tion led TO the confident expectation that
the convention, signed, would, II
agreed to by her Majesty's Government,
be ratified by the Senate.
IN these circumstances her Majesty's
Government consented to reopen the
question. and, after due consideration, de-
termined to accept the convention uncon-
ditionally, as a signal proof Of their
friendly disposition and of their desire
not to impede the execution of d project
declared to be of national Importance to
the people of the United States
Your exceIIency stated that the United
States Government expressed satisfaction
at this happy result and appreciation of
the concTiatory disposition shown by her
Majesty's Government
The convention was forthwith sub
mitted to the Senate for ratification. and
on the 9th of March the committee charg-
ed with its examination reported in favor
OF ratification, with the insertion, sub
sequently adopted, after section of Ar
tiCle II of a paragraph containing pro
vision that the rules laid down in the pre-
ceding sections should not apply TO meas
ures for the defence of the United States
by its own forces and the maintenance
OF public order. This alteration was dis
clissed By the Senate in secret session on
the 5th Of April, but no vote was taken
upon it nor upon the direct question OF
ratification.
The bm empowering the President to
construct and provide for the defence Of
the canal passed the House Of Represen-
tatives by a large majority on the I'd Ct
May. The Senate. however. postponed
consideration OF the bill. although favor
ably reported by the Committee on Inter
oceanic Canals.
AMENDED By THE SENATE.
After the recess, during which the
Presidential election took place. the dis
cussion was resumed in the Senate. On
the 29th ultimo the vote was taken and
resulted in the ratification of the conven-
tion with the three amendments which
have been presented for the acceptance
of his Majesty's Government
The first Of these amendments. that in
Article II, declares the Clayton-BuIwer
Treaty TO be hereby superseded.
Before attempting TO consider the man
ner in which this amendment viii. II
adopted. affect the parties to the Clay
toa-Bulwer Treaty. 1 desire 10 call your
eXcellency's attention TO a question of
principle which is involved By the action
o. the Senate at this point.
The Clayton Bulwer Treaty is an in
ternational contract Of unquestionablc
validity; contract which. according TO
Weii-established international usage.
ought not to be abrOgated or modified
save with the consent OF both the parties
10 the contract. In spite Of this usage.
his Majesty's Government find themselves
confronted by a proposal communicated
10 them by the United States Government.
without any previous attempt TO ascer-
tain their views for the abrogation Of the
Clayton -Bulwer Treaty.
The practical effect Of the amendment
can best be understood by reference TO
the enclosed copy Of the articles Of the
treaty. Nos. 1 and VI. which. assuming
that the United States Government would
TO PREVENT PNEUMONIA AND GRIP
Laxative Bromo-Qunine removes the cause.