The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-06-14
Circulation Statement.
The Nicaragua Canal.


The Southern Industrial Convention !
now in session at Philadelphia is report I.
ed as strongly favoring the immediate I
construction of the Nicaragua Canal, .
regardless of the CIayton-Bulwer
Treaty. With this feeling there can be
no doubt that the sentiment of the
country is Overwhelmingly in accord.
Few Americans are disposed TO at
tach any Importance to the suggestion
that England would regard such action
on our part as q casus belH, whether
the treaty were abrogated or simply Ig-
nored. The abrogation of a treaty IS
not in itself a cause for war. Whether
or not it will be so considered depends
entirely upon its subject-matter, and
the nature Of the interests involved II,
for the purpose Of aggression upon
FRIENDLY. state. a Government declares
itself no longer bound by certain
treaty. the country threatened might
feel justified in holding il TO be hostile
act and sufficient cause for an imme-
date declaration Of war But such
cases are altogether exceptional, and
the Clayton BuIwer Treaty cannot fair
" be regarded as within the exceptions
The United States does not purpose
repeating that treaty in any spirit OF
hostility to Great Britain. or any other
country: nor Is there any idea OF con-
structing the canal as a means Of ag-
erosion upon any vested British right
The canal project is, primarily, COM
TnerciaI one and the United States has
no objection 10 the free use Of the wa
h. a
ton upon Just and equitable terms
But as a secondary matter the canal
might be used for war purposes, and
hence the prevailing belief that the
United States should control 1t.
Clearly. If the canal is left open TO our
enemies IN time Of war the greatest ad-
vantage will iuure to the power with
the strongest navy and the greatest in
jury will fail 10 the lot Of the nation
with the largest interests exposed, IN
less il has a navy in every way ade-
quate for their protection The United
States has not the strongest navy, and
Il has the largest exposed interests.
Therefore to construct the canal and
leave it open 10 the free use Of other
countries in time Of war would be a
most injudicious action on our part
Our control of the canal would great
Iy increase the defensive power Of the
American Navy by facilitating the pas
sage of war vessels from one ocean
front TO the other But British inter
ests would be less endangered thereby
than they have been by the construc-
ton OF our trans-ContinentaI railroad
lines. whereby we are enabled to trans
port troops rapidly from the extreme
East to the extreme West, and to inter
mediate points from which the Cana
dian frontier might be threatened
England has no interests that would
naturally lead her TO regard either the
notification Of the treaty or the build
ing Of the canal as a cause for war Il
would, moreover, take a great deal q
provocation to lead that country to de-
clare war against the United States
There is no country that Britain would
not rather fight than the American Re
public: not because she IS afraid Of US
but because the best craftsmanship OF
England knows that she has nothing Il
gain. but very much to lose, in such {
conflict. It would be utterly impossibI,
for her to materially injure Us at any
NlLd4 punt W I'm LlGI 44IilA4F-L47t meet SL-'
might seize some Of our outlying pos
sessions, and, perhaps. to some extern
harry our seaboard, but she could nevel
reach the seat Of our strength and re
sources. On the other hand. il Is a!
certain as anything in human affair!
can be that as final result she would
lose every foot Of territory that sh,
now holds on the North American Con
tinent No doubt the war would show
some Of the usual changes Of fortune a
il progressed. but the inevitable endin.
would De as stated.
Besides ali this, the mere breaking 0
friendly relations and the stODpage O
our exports Of food products and raw
materials TO Ensla nd would cause no ent
of trouble in that country. All Of these
things are perfectly understood in Eng
land. Of course the British Govern,
uent is anxious To make the best dea
possible in connection with the building
Of the canal but its construction in dis
regard Of the Clayton Bulwer Treaty
Will never be regarded by that Govern
nent as a cause for war with the Uni
ted States. We may be sure that Eng
land would never build a two hundres
million dollar canal and then allow i
70 be used against her in time of war
Neither should we do anything 50 fool
ish we should build the canal anl
control IL.