Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-06
OH()A|E n Capital
His Presence at Washington
Starts a New Flood Of
Canal Runners.
The Ambassadors Declares He
Had Nothing 10 Do With
the Treaty.
Usual Signs Of Discomfort Are
Observed in Actions Of
Canada.

Washington, Nov. 6.-The presence of
lington has given rise to various rumors
as to his connection with the new canal
treaty. Choate says frankly that he had
no part in the negotiations, and infor-
nation from the state department ana
from London bear out this assertion. He
is absent from London on vacation,
and while he may have some official
business with the state department the
principal object of his visit to Washing
ton is to pay his respects to President
Roosevelt.
Choate had a long talk with Secretary
Hay yesterday and the two no doubt
talked about the new treaty, but the
secretary had more official information
than had the ambassador. Choate's in
formation was principally relating to
the attitude of the officials and the peo-
ple of Great Britain toward the United
States on the canal question. Choate
declines to talk for an Interview, but he
has represented to the secretary OF state
that the business men and great ship
ping interests of England are looking to
the United States for the construction of
this great waterway, and they desire
that the British government shall do
nothing to embarrass this government
or delay it in carrying out the plans adj
vocated for the canal.
There are the usual signs of discon
tent in Canada, but the state depart
ment has no fear that the Canadian
cabinet can influence the British gov
eminent to embarrass the work this
government proposes to take up David
Mills, the minister of justice in the cabi-
ret, is represented as again demanding
that Great Britain shall hold up the ca
nal treaty until the United States grants
some concession to Canada in the Alas
kan boundary dispute. The British gov
ernment understands full well that 1t
can not induce the United States to
combine this disputed boundary question
quested such consideration of that ques-
ton in connection with the canal treaty
would have been ample excuse for
breaking off negotiations. The two ques-
lions must be settled apart.
The Canadian cabinet will not be
able to block the canal by demands for
a trade. There will be no trading. The
canal question must be considered
alone, and the state department gives
positive assurances that this has been
the character of all negotiatio Lord
Pauncefote also assures the state de-
partment that his government will not
try to combine any other question with
1t or ask for any quid pro quo for
singing canal treaty. The officials
at the state department, therefore do
not give any serious consideration to
the utterances Of the Canadian minister
of justice.
The suggestion of Mills that Great
Britain persuade Nicaragua to not
again negotiate a canal treaty with the
United States is regarded here as rank
nonsense. Nicaragua and Costa Rica
are both anxious to have the United
States construct the Nicaragua. canal,
and fear that this government may
be induced to purchase the French
canal at Panama. Columbia is anxious
to grant any necessary concession to
the United States of it will complete
the Panama canal. The abrogation of
the Nicaraguan treaties was with the
purpose of clearing the way for new
treaties better adapted to the construc-
ton of a cana Thru that territory, and
it has been known for some months
in Washington that this notice would
be given by Nicaragua.
1t is estimated that this action was
taken at he suggestion of the United
States government because 1t could not
undertake to construct government
canal thru Nicaraguan territory under
the privileges granted by the existing
treaty, and 1t did not desire to be mis-
by denouncing that treaty
and asking for another. With Nicara-
qua taking the initiative and opening
the way for new treaty the United
States government is we'll satisfied.