The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-26

of watching over the execution oil the
treaty. and taking measures to secure the
free passage of the canal
THE last paragraph OF Article VII,
| which is specially alluded to, runs as fol-
| lows:
| They ii. e., the agents of the sigma
1 tory Powers in Egypt shall especially
demand the suppression of any work or
| the dispersion of any assembiage on
| either bank of the canal, the object or
| effect of which might be to interfere with
| the liberty and the entire security of the
| navigation.
''The situation which would be created
| by the addition of the new clause is de-
serving of serious attention. IL it were
| to be added. the obligation to respect the
! neutrality of the canal In all circum-
| stances would. so far as Great Britain is
| concerned remain in force; the obliga-
\ tion of the United States. on the other
! hand, would be essentially modified. The
| result would be one-sided arrangement.
| under which Great Britain would be de-
| barred from any warlike action in or
| around the canal, while the United States
| would be able TO resort to snch action to
whatever extent they might deem neces-
| sary to secure their own safety.
1T may be contended that If the new
clause were adopted, section of Article
| II, which prohibits the erection of forti-
| fications. would sufficiently ensure the
! free use of the canal. This contention is.
however, one which his Majesty's Gov
| crnment are quite unable to admit. !
| will not insist upon the dangerous vague
ness of the language employed in the
| amendment, or upon the absence of all
| security as to the manner in which the
words might, at some future time, be in
terpreted. For even II 1t were more pre-
| cisely worded, it would be impossible to
determine what might be the effect If one
clause permitting defensive measures, and
| another forbidding Notifications, were al
lowed to stand side by side in the con-
iyention.
THE AMENDMENT TOO VAGUE.
"To his Majesty's Government it seems.
as i have already said. that the amend
ment might be construed as leaving it
! open to the United States at any moment.
not only If war existed, but even if 1t
| were anticipated. to take any measures,
| however stringent or far-reaching. which.
in their own Judgment. might be repre-
serted as suitable for the purpose of pro-
| tecting their national interests. Such an
| enactment would strike at the very root
\ of that general principle of neutra liza
| tion upon which the Cleyton-B Bulwer
| Treaty was based, and which was re-
affirmed In the convention as drafted.
'But the import of the amendment
| stands out in stronger relief when the
| third proposal is considered. This strikes
| out Article III of the convention. under
which the high contracting parties en-
! gagged Immediately upon the convention
| being ratified, TO bring it to the notice of
| other Powers, and to invite their ad-
| herence. IL that adherence were given
| the neutrality of the canal would be Sc
cured by the whole of the adhering
Powers. Without that adherence it would
depend only upon the guarantee of the
two contracting Powers.
THE amendment, however. not only
removes all prospect of the wider guar
antee. but places this country in posi-
ton of marked disadvantage compared
with other Powers. which would not be
| subject to the self-denying ordinance
which Great Britain is desired to accept
IL would follow, were his Majestys Gov
ernment TO agree to such an arrange
ment, that while the United States would
have a treaty right to interfere with the
canal in time of war. or apprehended war
and while other Powers could with a
clear conscience disregard any OF the re-
strctions imposed by the convention
Great Britain alone, in spite of her enor-
nous possessions on the American con-
tinent. in spite of the extent of her
Australasian colonies, and her Interests
in the East, would be absolutely pre-
cluded from resorting to any such action
or from taking measures to secure her
interests in and near the canal.
II request that your excellency will ex-
plain to the Secretary of State the rea-
sons, as set forth in this despatch why
his Majestys Government feel unable TO
accept the convention in the shape pre-
sented to them by fhe American Ambas-
sadOr, and why they prefer. as matters
stand at present. to retain unmodiiied
the provisions of the CIayton-Bulwer
Treaty. His Majestys Government have
throughout these negotiations. given evi-
dence of their earnest desire to meet the
views of the United States.
They would on this occasion have
been ready to consider in a friendly spirit
any amendments of the convention not
inconsistent with the principles ac; epted
by both Governments which the Govern
ment of the United States might have de-
sired to propose. and they would sincere
ly regret failure to come to an amicabie
understanding in regard TO this important
subject.
this despatch to the Secretary of State
and to leave copy in his hands.
Il am, etc. LANSDOWNE."