The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-03-14
GREAT BRITA|N'S REPLY
10 tho Senate's Action on the Hay
Pauncefote Treaty.
CANNOT ACCEPT AMENDMENTS,

| - Nv NesSEO - - SVoeSeu
Proposition, a.d the Next Move II
the Nicaragua Canal Project Must
Ne hade ~ the United States.
Washington. March 1.-THE long Ok.
pected answer from the British govern
ment to the state departments commu-
nication reciting tho action of the sen.
ate upon the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
was returned yesterday. Lord Paunce-
fote. the British AMBASSADOR. came to
the state department at noon by ap-
| pOintment. He brought the answer
with him. and read 1t to Secretary Hay
1t was. In form. an instruction from
lord Lansdowne, the British minister
Of foreign affairs. to Lord Pauncsfoto,
and Of this instruction he left copy
with Secretary Hay.
The secretary and the ambassador
we're closeted for half an hour. At the
conclusion Of the conference It was
stated that the instruction to Lord
Pauncefote was to notify the govern
ment Of the United States that the
British government did not see Its way
clear to the acceptance Of the senate
amendments. These amendments were
treated In detail at some length. in ar
gumentative fashion. the purpose Of
the British government being to show
that It had sound reason for declining
to accept them. After disposing of the
details, the note concluded with an ex-
preston of regret that such course
was forced upon the British government.
There was nothing in the nature Of a
counter proposition, nor was any open
ing left for further action by the British
government. It was stated that II there
Is to be q further attempt to amend the
Clayton Bulwer treaty. SO as to author
ize the United States to construct q
waterway across the isthmus. then II Ia
lures; the British government simply
drops the matter at this point.
As to the entire abrogation OF tho
Clayton Bulwer treaty. as provided by
one Of the senate amendments. 1t az
pears to be the British view that su n
a step Is too far reaching to be taken
without some negotiation, In which the
British. side Of tho case is presented.
The sO-called Davis amendment ap-
pears, however. to be the chief obstacle
In the way Of an agreement, and while
the British answer makes no sugges-
tion Of any further negotiation. It seems
to be fair inference from its general
tenor that II. Q modification, of this
amendment could be secured there
probably could be an adjustment upon
the other points Of difference.
No opportunity offered yesterday at
- H@p HA hAN AI,@
president and Secretary Hay respecting
the British answer. therefore 1t cannot
yet be stated what action. II any, will
be taken by our government. 1t Is
stated that there Is no hurry. even IN
t"e event that 1t shall be decided to in
vite Great Britain to join in fresh nego-
tiations as to an isthmian canal. con-
gress not being In session to consider a
treaty IL one should be framed. The be-
lief seems to be warranted that there
will be no further negotiations on the
subject In the immediate future, unless
some event not now foreseen by the Of
fcials causes radical change in the
situation.
For the present the text OF the Brit
ish answer will be withheld from pub
lication. on this side Of the water at
least. though 1t is said that after the
president has thoroughly considered the
matter some general statement may be
made as to the points developed.
The British answer Is quite long, as
such documents go. and would make
about two newspaper columns. The
tone Of the reply is distinctly friendly
throughout. particularly so in the con-
Guiding assurances Of good will and a
desire to cooperate In the realization
Of this undertaking.