The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1901-11-22
RIGHT TO FORTIFY
Recognized by Great Britain
but is Left Optional With this
Government.

1905 by Secretary Hay for the United
States, and Lord Pauncefots, the Bril-
tish ambassa Tor, for Great Britain.
This treaty is intended to replace
the first Hay -Panncsfote treaty. That
convention was amended SO extern
sively by the United States senate at
its last session that the British gov
eminent declined to rstify it. With
in a few weeks negotiations begun
afresh between Secretary Hay and
Lord Pauncefote, which have just re-
suited in the signature of the new
treaty, drawn with special reference
to the objections found by the senate
with the first treaty. From a due
sense of the courtesy which must be
observed towards the United States
senate wherever q treaty is concerned,
the state department is estopped from
making public the text of the new
convention and that will remain Sc
cret until the senate itself shall break
the seal of confidence. 1t is said at
the state department that the various
publications which have been made of
the alleged text Of the treaty are all
errroneons and conjectural. though in
view Of the rather free admissions
that have been made Of the purposes
Of the negotiators it has been possible
by the use Of the text of the first trea-
ty TO construct one similar in general
terms to the new convention. The
principal point of difference between
the new and the failed treaty, is the
withdrawal of Great Britain from the
joint guarantee of the neutrality Of
the canal, thus leaving the United
States the sole guarantor. The ex-
ception of the old proposition re-
speeding the right to fortify the canal,
leaves that right by inference option
al with the United States.
All commerce, OF whatever nation
atty, passing through the canal will
fare alike: there will be no discrimi-
nation in rates in favor of the United
States shipping.
Otherwise the new treaty, is in scope
similar TO last years treaty. 1t re-
| places, technically the Clayton-Bul-
wer treaty concluded on April 10,
1850. By the terms Of that conven-
ton the United States and Great
Britain agreed that neither should
seek any advantage ia rights Of transit
across the isthmus. By the new con-
vention Great Britain yields her right
| in favor Of the United States, which
is thus at liberty to construct the
| canal.
Nothing more remains to be done
a. far a. this treaty is concerned be-
fore the senate meets or, indeed, I'M
til the treaty shall have been ratified,
rejected or amended. II it should
be ratified the state department will
proceed Immediately to negotiate the
treaties with Costa Rica and Mica
ragua for which it already has sr.
ranged in proto OILS pending before the
senate which will permit the canal to
be constructed and prescribe the
terms upon which the consent OF
Nicaragua and Coasts Rica is given.
It was in anticipation OF this action,
it is presumed, that the Nicaraguan
government only recently renowned
the treaty Of trade and commerce with
the United States. This treaty con-
tanned sections conveying rights o. to
canal construction which are to be re-
placed BY more modern provisions
There Was no particular ceremony
connected with the signature Monday
Of the important convention. Lord
Pauncefote has been indisposed for
several days past and it was not ex-
pected that the treaty cou.d be signed
before the end Of the currsnt week.
However, to the surprise of the state
department officials, the ambassador
appeared at the department about
noon and the work of signing the
treaty was soon disposed Of. The
scene was the historic diplomatic
chamber Of the state department and
besides the principals. Secretary Hay
A DISTINGUISHED PRISONER.
Roanoke, VA United States