The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-07-18
AGREEMENT ON THE CANAL
LORD P1UNCEFOTE HOPEFUL OF
 ONE BEFORE CONGRESS OPENS.

factory Both to the President and
 British Cabinet Other Important
 Questions Under Consideration.
 London, July F. Lord Pauncefote, British ambassador to the United States, made the following statement tonight to representative of The As sociated Press: T am having confer ences with the Marquis Lansdowne not only about Nicaragua but also with re- gard to half dozen treaties pending between Great Britain and the United States These are chiefly concerned with West Indian reciprocity arrange ments.'
 When asked if he thought there was any possibility of arriving at an agree ment regarding the Nicaragua canal before congress convened, he replied:
 Yes, I sincerely hope so. We are now in the middle of the negotiations which although they have not yet reached any tangible result show good promise. Naturally I may not disclose the details but I may say that when l return to the United States at the end of October I hope to take with me a Nicaragua treaty that will meet the views of both President Mckinley and the British cabinet. It goes without saying that the president has made himself cognizant of the opinions of the senate and of the secretary of state. YJy,.. nft r. ies which the senate Is likely to refuse. l believe the difference of opinion be- tween the two nations are capable of settlement in an agreement falr 10 both. If I could finish my delightful labors in the United States by accom- plishing this end I shoud indeed feel gratified. But the only way this can De attained is step by step with proposl- ton followed by counter proposition, and eventually happy medium. It IS slow, but I hope it is sure. II l thought anything could be done before October I would return prior to that date, but I do not believe that any thing would be gained"
 At this point Lord Pauncefote paid a warm tribute to Americans. They are the most genial people on the face of the earth" he declared. At the first grip of the hand they take you to their hearts, So long as you do not try to deal in an underhand way, and, so long as you do not assume superior airs, they treat you as one of their own, and no one could say more than this
 Reverting to the report that a major ity of the senate favored a neutral canal. Lord Pauncefote said: Tt would be good news if true. l happen to know that MT. Hay consulted the sen- ate. both the section supposed to sup port him and the section credited with other motives. You may be sure that whatever is agreed upon between the two governments will meet with the approval of the senate
 When asked if the joint commission was likely to sit again in Washington, he replied: "Yes, I think it will, al- though this vii not occur until after my return. I do not agree with the opinion that the sessions aready held have resulted in no good. The joint commission has thrashed out many points of difference between Canada and the United States, although the in ability to agree as to the Alaska boun- Qary anu lH6 Sdu uCetIh oL i1OAN AAoi schell appeared, perhaps, to nullify the commissions labors.
 "I see that the Boston chamber Of commerce has petitioned for reciproci- ty with Canada. This I regard as a most hopeful sign. It will be one Of my aims when I return to the United States to foster this desire for closer commercial relationship between the Dominion and the United States. I know all the difficulties standing in the way, but I cannot help thinking that some arrangement which will be to the mutual advantage of the two countries is feasible.
 "I should hope to include Newfound- land, making it's interests identical with those of Canada, although so far as Newfoundland is concerned it is all a question of fish, and the Gloucester fishermen do not always see things in just the same light as do the people of Newfoundland.
 "In spite of the attitude of Canada toward Newfoundland, and in spite of the trade difficulties of both Canada and Newfoundland in dealing with the United States, I by no means despair of effecting some sort of reciprocity scheme, which, when the Nicaragua matter has been justly and amicably settled and the West Indian treaties have been arranged will bring Great Britain and the United States to even a better basis of common understand ing than exists to-day"