Washington sentinel., 1901-04-06
London Standard. Mayeh ~.

London Standard, MaycH ~.
From last weeks debates in the
[AmericaDl Senate, one would infer
nothing less than instant abrogatlon OF
the treaty would satisfy the outraged
majesty OF the Republic The United
States, it is said, will proceed to con-
struct the canal forthwith, in absolute
defiance OF any international instrument
which prohibits that course of action
Fortunately, these thunders have left
the majority OF Mr.. Morgan's country
men quite undisturbed. and have drawn
down well deserved Tebukes from the
most influential organs in the press.
We have felt far too much confidence
in the American sense Of justice and
legality to suppose for a moment that
the reputation OF the Clayton Bulwer
treaty could be regarded as a serious
possibility. The "denunciatlon" OF a
solemn International compact, by ore
OF the parties without the consent OF the
other, would be a discreditable and
dIsh"norable act. Between civilized
merely brcause Its provisions hspp- n to
be found irksome. The Americans,
who yield TO no peoole In their strict
respect for the sanctitV of private con-
tracts, will assuredly not permi: their
politicians to hurry them into any such
a cynical breach OF public morality. II
the convention of 1850 is abrogated, it
must be by mutual consent not by the
arbitrary and extra legal act Of one Of
the signatories. We shall hold
it valid until it is regularly repealed,
and we shall confidently expect that, so
.ong as 1t IS in force, no attempt will be
made to invade the rights secured TO us
under its provisions. In spite oil
the fire eaters of the Senate, the Amer
leans will abide by their engagements,
knowing very well that any equitable
proposition they make to us will meet
with a ready and cordial response.
London Darly Meas. March II.
The Hay Pauncefote negotiations we're
designed to enable America to construct
the canal and yet to preserve to this
country certain rights, not very import.
ant in themselves, but apparently objec.
tionable to the prevailing sentiment of
the Senate. Now, apart altogether
from any question Of a lack of Diplomatic
deicacy on the part OF the Senate In the
wording of the amendments-and a
Government that includes Mr.. Cham.
berlaIn in its list of trusted negotiatoTs
ought to be the last to complain on this
score-we are disposed to think that
the rights reserved 10 us under the
Clayton Bulwer treaty are not at the
present day and in the altered circum.
stances of the case OF overwhelming
importance to Great Britain. Nobody
doubts that we have those rights, and
no sane person can maintain that mere
resolution by the Senate can override
them Obviously it was not easy for
Lord SalisburY's Government to submit
to the somewhat arbitrary and dictate.
Iial methods of the Senate. If, however,
America is still anxious to spend her
money in constructing and fortiiyiug a
canal land ia making herself to that
extent more vulnerable) there seems to
be no reason of sound policy why Great
Britain should cast obstacles in her way.
The matter IS not one that is
worth while fighting about from the
point OF view OF British interests, Why,
then, should not the Clayton BuIwer
Treaty be quietly abrogated by the
consent OF both parties'
London Morning ZsaSsv, March ~
By playing dog in the manger snd
preventing America from building the
canal on her own terms we are inflicting
a heavy loss on our own trade and our
own shipping We can only stand to
gain by quick sea route to Peru in the
south and San Francisco IN the north.
a route, too, ch is also an alternative
path to the Far East aud Australasia.