The Minneapolis journal., 1901-05-18
LONDON DISCUSSION
Secretary Hays Proposals for a
New Canal Treaty.
PROPOSED SALE OF THE PANAMA
Canada, Newfoundland and Recipro,
city With the United
States.

London, May 1s.-The draft of Secre-
tary Hays proposals for a new Nicaragua
treaty were received from Lord Paunce-
fote by the last mail. 1t is a voluminous
document and is being printed previous
to examination and discussion It is de-
scribed as a redraft of the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty, with what appears, from q
casual perusal. to be extensive annota-
tiOns. Several weeks are likely to elapse
before the cabinet can commence its pre-
liminary discussion. The dispatches rela-
tive to the possibility of the substitution
of the Panama isthmian route are read
with interest in Downing street.
The Associated Press learns that agents
Of the Panama company have not ap-
preached the British government, but If
the United States should think 1t ad-
visable to complete the Panama canal the
decision would be hailed with no little
satisfaction at the foreign Office as being
an easy way out OF the present contro-
versy. However, the British officials are
without any accurate knowledge of the
terms offered by the Panama people, and
they incline to the belief that financial
and other difficulties will probably pre-
vent the United States from adopting this
solution of the affairs. Said a high
official:
If it is advisable to abrogate the Clayton
Bulwer treaty on account of its being out
of date, how much more so is it necessary
to annul the French shore agreement which
was made long before the Clayton -Bulwer
treaty, and which has been milestone around
the neck of Newfoundland
Inquiries reveal the fact that negotia-
tions to this latter end are progressing,
though slowly. For the first time in re-
cent negotiations France is said to be
exhibiting a genuine desire to have the
matter settled, and though perhaps at the
expense of concessions in other parts of
the globe, Great Britain will endeavor to
meet her wishes.
The result Of the conferences between
Mr.. Bond, premier Of Newfoundland, and
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, premier of Canada,
regarding reciprocity with the United
States has not yet been communicated
to the colonial office, though Colonial
Secretary Chamberlain sincerely hopes
that the reports of Canadas consent to
Mr.. Bonds proposition are correct.
With regard to China, which, with the
exception of the foregoing, is the only
foreign matter engaging the governments
attention, it is still hoped in Downing
street that Great Britain and America
will be able to effect a reduction of the
indemnity. The German objections con-
tinue to form the chief obstacle to this
end.
An important development in the forma-
tion of a national federation of employ
ers' association and trades unions oc-
Cured this week, when labor leaders,
members Of the house Of commons and
employers, met in London to discuss the
details of the organization. The move
ment had its inception through the keen
ness of American commercial competi-
ton. Among those present at the meet
ing were two members of the house of
commons, Charles Bill, conservative, and
Hugh Crawford Smith, liberal unionist;
representatives of the miners, boiler
makers, shipbuilders and factory owners
John Locke, the well-known student of
labor problems and founder of the ma
tional federation, announced that forty
organized labor bodies had expressed
their willingness to join. 1t was sug-
gested that the plan be madeFinterna-
tional and that American cooperation be
invited, but 1t was decided that the time
was not yet ripe, especially as defense
is one Of the main features of the idea.
1t was decided to press vigorous cam
paign in the United Kingdom to bring the
masters and men into a federation by
which the interests of all trades would be
furthered and methods adopted to pre-
serve the prosperity of the various indus
tries, which it is admitted have been en-
dangered.