Evening star., 1901-03-12
Sentiment of Leaders in Congress to
to Be Aseertained
BEFORE MAKING new CANAL TREATY
Objection Proposed international
Convention.
NO CONCERN OF EUROPE

The formal announcement of the rejec-
tion by Great Britain of the amended Hay
Pauncefote treaty attracts no special in
tcrest, since it was well known before
Congress adjourned that such an announce
ment would be made in due time 1t was
assumed that Great Britain had an object
In not communicating with this govern
ment while Congress was in session. though
1t could not be said with justice that there
was any unusual delay on her part The
avowed reason for opposition in Congress
to action on, the Nicaragua canal bill was
that it would be ungracious to proceed
with the matter while the treaty with the
amendments to it by the Senate was still
under consideration by the British govern
ment, though it was well understood what
the action of that government would final
ly be.
No Immediate Action.
No step has been taken by either side
since the delivery of the British note, and
1t is understood that none will be taken in
the immediate future. The situation tech
nically is one that admits of indefinite de-
lay without ground for complaint on either
side. The HayPauncefote treaty expired
March 8. and there is no subject open for
discussion between the United States and
Great Britain. 1t is true that the British
note was delivered to Secretary Hay some
days after the treaty had expired. but it
can be regarded as nothing more than a
courteous explanation Of the reason why
the British government allowed the treaty
to die. 1t could not renew the vitality of
the instrument
Senators to BE Consulted.
1t is stated positively that at this moment
our government is undecided as to whether
hal att nf 70 n
with Great Britain. 1t is said that certain
ly before anything Of that kind is done the
administration will take steps to learn the
views Of senators and the party leaders in
Congress. There will be no treaty submit
ted to the Senate except upon pretty clear
understanding that 1t is strong enough to
secure the vote Of two-thirds of the body.
Now the Senate being dispersed, owing to
the adjournment. it Is evident that the in
diVidual senators cannot be easily and
speedily sounded, SO the conclusion is in
evitable that If there are to be any nego-
tiations on this subject between Secretary
Hay and Lord Pauncefote they will be de-
ferred for some months.
Prospects in Congress.
1t is also said that no further negotia-
tions will be entered upon by this govern
ment, unless it may be for the simple abb o.
cation of the ClaytonBulwer treaty, ard
when the new Congress meets 1t is expect
ed that the matter will be proceeded with
as If there had never been a Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty. The Clayton-Bulwer treaty, it
Is expected, will be declared abrogated, and
the advocates Of the canal expect that the
bill providing for It's construction will he
passed through both houses Both Senator
Lodge and Senator Morgan express the
opinion that the construction of the canal
will be authorized.
The British communication submitted
yesterday to the State Department was rot
read at the cabinet meeting today and it
Is said that no reference was made to It,
The explanation is that Secretary Hay was
able, before the cabinet met, to present to
the President a complete abstract of the
communication. 1t is said at the State De-
partment that the document will not lie
given out for publication here for the pres-
ent, although, Of course, 1t is possible It
may be printed in London upon the call Of
a member Of parliament.
Proposed International Congress.
The suggestion was made today that an
international congress, to be held at Wash
ington, might prove the best means of har-
monizing the differences and bringing about
common ground of understanding. Such
a congress, it was pointed out was held
to deal with the Suez canal problem. and
out of 1t grew the Suez convention, which
controls the use of that waterway The
neutrafizing of the Suez canal was one of
tHc CIlleI features OF that convention. and
that served to some extent as a guide in
the recent treaty on the isthmian canal,
There Is reason to believe that the project
of an international congress at Washington
Will meet with favor from several of the
European maritime powers which have not
up to this time taken a prominent part In
the canal affairs. On the other hand the
idea of congress met some oppositton
when informally suggested today to diplo-
matists who have taken a leading part in
the canal negotiations. One of them said
that such congress would not commend
itself to the United States, as it would be
interpreted as an indirect admission that
the continental nations of Europe had
some authority on the subject, whereas the
action of the Senate indicated a purpose to
MAINTAIN exclusive American authority
over the waterway.
Regards 1t as Merely a Check.
The Ntcaraguan minister, Senior Corea.
said today that he had no comment to
make upon the rejection Of the amended
Hay-Pauncefote treaty respecting the
Nicaragua canal. except to say that
at most it was but temporary check to
the project. which was Of such transcen-
dant Importance to the commerce of the
world that differences would in time be
arranged and the great project realized.
The minister regards the present state of
affairs as sort of bridge which will
lead the way to a correct solution of the
problem, and he Is as hopeful as ever that