New-York tribune., 1901-01-19
CABINET DISCUSSES TREATY..
DECISION REACHED NOT KNOWN-PRESS
OPINIONS OF THE SITUATION.

London Jan. 1S-The amended Hay -Paunce-
fote Treaty was discussed at a long Cabinet
conference to-day. The Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs the Marquis of Lansdowne has
taken no action far. He will probably en-
body the result Of the deliberations in a dispatch
or in an interview with the United States Am
bassador. Mr. Choate, Monday or later. The
exact decision arrived at is guarded with Sc
crecy. An impression exists that the Cabinet
confined itself to authorizing Lord LansdOwne
TO have further conferences with Mr.. Choate,
the lines of which naturally not given out.
1.-The Spectator" in an article discussing the
Nicaragua Canal question. will say tomorrow:
1t is a matter of business and not of manners.
We hold that il is to the interest of the British
Empire that the canal should be made provided,
of course it is a canal which shall be used on
equal terms by all ships. We are the greatest
maritime nation Any and every increase in
the waterways of the world must be 10 our
profit. Whenever and wherever you facilitate
ocean carriage you confer a benefit upon British
carrying trade.
Referring to the Suez Canal and its advan-
tages, THE Spectator will proceed follows:
When once the Nicaragua Canal is made we.
the carriers of the world. shall obtain
siderable part of the benefit. 1t seems pretty
certain that the canal will never be made on
commercial basis. The cost would be too great.
The failure OF the Panama Canal has been too
patent 10 allow the Nicaragua Canal to be con-
struct ted BY ordinary spectators.
The United States Government is prepared Tor
political and trade reasons 10 make the canal
provided America is allowed to control a water
way which is created at her cost. and by CON
troll America means the right not only of pO-
licing but Of fortifyng.
We should allow military control Neutrality
could not be enforced In war unless there was
some one in effective military control. the
Spanish when their fleet intending to go 10
Manila by way of the Suez Canal, began 10 com
nit breach Of neutrality, What stopped them
was not paper regulations. but the strong arm
of the British military control OF Egypt. IN
the same way, if the Nicaragua Canal were
neutral only on paper, and we were at war with
a first class naval Power. we may be sure the
neutrality would be violated, with apologies to
the United States and other guaranteeing
Powers afterward If America were on the spot
in force there would be no tampering with the
canal
After considering the case Of a war between
the United States and England. The Specta-
tor will conclude that the predominant naval
Power could block both ends, and the Americans
by manning the canal and policing it would be
able to prevent England using it,.
London, JAN 19.-"The Daily Telegraph in
| the course Of a very temperate editorial on the
Nicaragua Canal controversy, says:
There is not the smallest reason to believe
| that the United States Senate intended 10 af-
front slight the British Government Yet, by
| iEjudicious utterances and unrestrained critl-
cisms an attempt has been made to breed i'll
feeling Not all English politicians are dis
Greet neither all English newspapers guard
| ed in their criticisms.
| Happily, there is but very slight ground to
| complain OF the attitude Of the respective gov
| ernments toward each other. 1t is quite possi-
| bic that the United States may have a salts
| factory equivalent offer for fresh concessions
| such as the Senate desires, that they may ad-
| vance cogent arguments to justify our agreeing
| TO the amendments without compensation.
| Evidently il is a FOX further negotiation.
| Nothing be gained by indulging In acrimoni-
| ous recriminations We have demonstrated our
| desire to go than half way to meet
| American wishes, and, If the abrogation of the
| CLAYTON -Bulwer Treaty is demanded, the ques-
| ton will be discussed on its merits
| British Ministers do not wish to hinder the
| construction of the canal and they recognize the
| natural desire of the United States to be the
| custodian of the canal. They cannot, however,
| assent to the establishment of the dangerous
| nracedent of the abrogdtion of a treaty by a
| stroke of the pen. Happily this view appears
| TO be rapidly gaining adherence in America.