The times., 1901-03-26

of watching over the execution of the
| treaty, and taking measures to secure the
free passage of the canal.
The last paragraph of Article VIII,
| which is specially alluded to, runs as fol-
| lows
! They q. e, the agents of the sigma
| tory Powers in Egypt shall especially
| demand the suppression of any work or
| the dispersion of any assemblage on
| either bank of the canal, the object or
effect of which might be to interfere with
| the liberty and the entire security of the
/ navigation
THE situation which would be created
1 by the addition of the new clause is de-
! serving of serious attention. IL it were
to be added, the obligation to respect the
neutrality of the canal In all circum-
| stances would. so far as Great Britain is
| concerned remain in force; the obliga-
/ ton of the United States, on the other
| hand, would be essentially modified. The
result would be a one-sided arrangement,
| under which Great Britain would be de
barred from any warlike action in or
| around the canal, while the United States
| would be able TO resort to snch action to
! whatever extent they might deem neces-
sary to secure their own safety.
1T may be contended that If the new
clause were adopted, section of Article
| II, which prohibits the erection of forti-
| fcations, would sufficiently ensure the
! free use of the canal. This contention is.
however, one which his Majestys Gov
! ernment are quite unable to admit.
| will not insist upon the dangerous vague
! ness of the language employed in the
| amendment, or upon the absence of all
| security as to the manner in which the
words might, at some future time, be in
terpreted. For even il 1t were more pre-
cisely worded, it would be impossible to
determine what might be the effect if one
clause permitting defensive measures, and
another forbidding Notifications, were AL
| lowed to stand side by side in the con-
ivention.
THE AMENDMENT TOO VAGUE.
| 'To his Majestys Government it seems.
as / have already said, that the amend
ment might be construed as leaving it
1 open to the United States at any moment,
not only If war existed, but even If 1t
were anticipated. to take any measures,
| however stringent or far-reaching. which,
| in their own Judgment might be repre-
| serted as suitable for the purpose of pro-
| tecting their national interests. Such an
! enactment would strike at the very root
| tion upon which the Clayton-Bulwer
! Treaty was based, and which was re-
affirmed in the convention as drafted.
Put the import of the amendment
| stands out in stronger relief when the
third proposal is considered. This strikes
| out Article III of the convention. under
which the high contracting parties en-
gagged Immediately upon the convention
being ratified, TO bring it to the notice of
other Powers, and TO invite their ad-
herence. If that adherence were given
the neutrality OF the canal would be Sc
cured by the whole of the adhering
Powers. Without that adherence it would
depend only upon the guarantee of the
two contracting Powers.
The amendment, however not only
removes all prospect of the wider guar
antee, but places this country in a posi-
ton of marked disadvantage compared
with other Powers, which would not be
subject to the self-denying ordinance
which Great Britain is desired to accept
1t would follow, were his Majesty's Gov
ernment TO agree to such an arrange
ment, that while the United States would
have a treaty right to interfere with the
canal in time of war. or apprehended war
and while other Powers could with
strictions imposed by the convention,
Great Britain alone, in spite of her enor-
nous possessions on the American con-
tinent, in spite OF the extent of her
AustralasiaD colonies. and her interests
in the East, would be absolutely pre-
ciuded from resorting TO any such action,
or from taking measures to secure her
interests IN and near the canal
II request that your excellency will ex-
plain TO the Secretary Of State the rea-
sons, as set forth in this despatch why
his Majesty's Government feel unable TO
accept the convention in the shape pre-
sented to them by fhe American Ambas-
sador, and why they prefer, as matters
stand at present. 10 retain unmodified
the provisions of the Clayton-Bulwer
Treaty. His Majesty's Government have.
throughout these negotiations. given evi-
dence Of their earnest desire TO meet the
views of the United States.
They would on this occasion have
been ready TO consider in a friendly spirit
any amendments of the convention not
inconsistent with the principles accepted
by both Governments which the Govern
ment of the United States might have de-
sired to propose, ard they would sincere
ly regret a failure 10 come to an amicable
understanding in regard to this important
subject.
Your lordship is authorized to read
this despatch to the Secretary of State
and to leave a copy in his hands.
II am, etc, LANSDOWNE"