New-York tribune., 1901-05-21
THE NICARAGUA CANAL
A DISPAssIoNATE ENGLISH VIEW OF
THE QUESTION ON ITS MERITS.
From The London Spectator.


From The London Spectator.
1t is evident from the of the kilograms
from Washington that he Nicaragua Canal is once
again becoming the subject of discussion between
being so. most sincerely trust that our govern
ment will handle the problem with and
attention than hitherto, and also with more
shrewdness and common sense. If they approach
lines. they certain make a mess OF it, and
to get neither credit nor influence nor material
benefits for this country. The temptations to our
Foreign Office to go wrong on the matter are
hold all the diplomatic cards in the game. and If
gain a complete success OF that kind with the
greatest possible ease The Senate holds the uti
almost certain, If the settled before
next next meets TO nehaye from the point OF view OF
and obJectionaOl ole way possible. The Senate. part
ly, because that body is jealous of Mr.. McKinleys
diplomatic usage and cares little or nothing about
the good faith observed between diplomatists, and
partly also because II would enjoy the glory and
which could be made the excuse ior good deal or
horid oratory about the sacred right OF the United
II peases is sure to lay itself open to be trumpet
and held at every possible point 1t VIII, We
abrogating treaties it has right abrogate; II
refuse 10 submit 10 arbitration matters which
clearly ought 10 be submitted 10 arbitration, and,
generally. it may be expected 10 give itself away
completely that the diplomatic victory Will be
But admitting fully. as we do, that we can easily
permit the Senate to put the United states utterly
we want to ask whether it viii be worth our while
10 let the question develop on these lines. We want
all the mere diplomatic rights and wrongs aside
to inquire not whether We have a right to stop the
canal being made under the conditions on which
whether it is worth our while 10 stop its construc
ton: and on the r 0theF hana' @he1hep IL VIII not o
made We want the whole subject approached as
after an mpartaI inauiry Win be- dl that il IS to-
interests have the canal made, and X
is to our interests that America shall make the
the provision that the canal shall always be open
10 our shipping equal terms. and that there shall
be no differentiation of dues against us II this is
the true decision, then let us not stand on our
States. but. ignoring the III manners Of the Senate.
agree TO let America make the canal under any
we are concerned, we would let her make the
territory from Nicaragua, or by means of sub
sidzed American company and let her fortify II as
that shipping is free to use the canal on terms
other power II those terms are secured we shall
gain all want, and shall enjoy the material ad-
time nations by the increase OF water facilities.
IS THE TREATY WORTH A WAR?
Let US consider for a moment what will happen
our ~ rights under the Clayton Buwer Treaty In
that 1T Gnte o66 that from ONE the m @ tone and
must happen. Either the Americans will refuse
in which case we shall lose the great advantages
which would accrue to us from the new isthman
else the Americans contrary to all international
TTeaty @ and viii tell us that If we want to stop the
construction of the canal nal on A AmeTean I terms we
whether 1t will be worth our while to fight. OF
and good. In that case those Who advise us to
take a firm G stand ON on our @ rights under the Clay
a definite and consis .ent policy and whether sub
earned the praise due TO those who know their
minds Those then who carry their opposition to
are fully determined to fight merit and must re-
are there? We believe that puBlic opiniohT e
the majority of the British people absolutely
abrogation Of the Clayton Bulwer Treaty The
and deal p INK %od be- an IN
the face of the Americans as expressive of that
the country would allow much less order the gov gov
on But to that H G Is Gf we
stand to lose In either case. We lose a benefit II
succeed because we are not prepared to back our
tiontbonsb NO douht We sbard eain
famous diplomatic victory.
LITTLE REAL DIFFERENCE OF OPINION
The public here, with many more exciting and
urgent things to think about, for the most part
does not realize what very small point separates
the canal Practically ali that we now differ about
are the two points Of o. the control of the canal
cation Of the new treaty VAC to @ the poweTs en- the
makng m KIN OF me POW powers parties to the neutralza3n
stantIa The Americans do not ask
have always contended fortihcaton is not a mat
ter OF real importance-but merely claim in effect
that II they were at war with another power they
must be allowed to use the canal 70 protect the
national SAFETY use 1t themselves for their
vessels. but allow the enemys ships to
do so. After all, that claim is very natural. The
canal will have been made by American public
money by of American subsidy, and
the Americans therefore cannot tolerate the idea
Of 1t ever, being used to endanger the. republic
But though understand American feeling on
the subject, 1t is in reality quite unnecessary to
express the matter in a treaty. The canal will be
worked by American company. every one of
the great locks will be worked and controlled by
American engineers every pilot viii be an Ameri-
Under such circumstances, does any sane
imagine that, treaty or no treaty, a power
at with America will be able 10 use the canal?
hostile ship might get far as the great Mica
raguan lake. but ii would never leave IT till the
war was over These being the plain fae1s r"e we
because she is hold foolishly, anxious TO
express in words right which know she must
be able to exercise, and will exercise in fact To
deny a paper right when you are bound by