The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-18
PAUNCEFOTE AT WORK
TRYING TO ARRANGE TREATIES
WITH THE UNITED STATES.
Talk with His Lordship i'm Regard to
the Nicaragua Canal and
other Negotiations.

LONDON. July 17.-Lord Pauncefote.
British ambassador TO the United States.
made the following statement tonight:
Il having conferences with the Mar
quis of Lansdowne not only about Nicara-
qua. but also with regard to half a dozen
treaties pending between Great Britain and
the United States. These are chiefly con-
cerned with West Indian reciprocity ar
rangements."
When asked IL he thought there was any
possibility of arriving at an agreement re-
garding the Nicaragua canal before Con-
gress reconvened. he replied: Yes. /
sincerely hope So We are now in the mid
die of the negotiations which. although
they have not yet reached any tangible re-
suit. show good promise. Naturally.
may not disclose the details. but may say
that, when l return to the United States at
the end of October 1 hope TO take with me
Nicaragua treaty that will meet the views
Of both the President and the British Cabi-
net. 1t goes without saying that the Presi-
dent has made himself cognizant OF the
opinions of the Senate and of the secretary
of state. There is no use wasting time over
treaties which the Senate is likely TO re-
fuse. l really believe the difference of
opinion between the two nations is ca
pable of settlement in an agreement fair
10 both. If l could finish my delightful
labors in the United States by accomplish
ing this end, / should, indeed, feel grati-
fed. But the only way this can be at
tanned is step by STEP with proposition
followed by counter proposition, and event
ually a happy medium. 1t is slow, but i
hope il is sure If / thought anything
could be done before October, l would re-
turn prior to that date, but / do not believe
that anything would be gained
At this point Lord Pauncefote paid a
warm tribute TO the Americans. They are
the most genial people on the face of the
earth" he declared. "At the first grip of
the hand they take you to their hearts. So
long as you do not try to deal in an under
hand way, and so long as you do not as
sumo superior airs they treat you as one
of their own, and no one could say more
Reverting to the report that a majority
of the Senate favored a neutral canal. Lord
Pauncefote said: 1T would be good news.
If true. l happen TO know that Mr.. Hay
consulted the Senate. both the section sup
posed to support him and the section cred
tied with other motives. You may be sure
that whatever is agreed upon between the
two governments will meet with the ap-
proval of the Senate.
His lordship expressed the deepest SYM
pathy with Mr.. Hay in the loss OF his son.
When asked If the joint commission was
likely TO sit again in Washington he re-
piled: Yes. l think that IL will. although
this will not occur until after my return.
/ do not agree with the opinion that the
sessions already held have resulted in no
good. The joint commission has thrashed
out many points Of difference between
Canada and the United States although
the inability to agree as to the Alaska
boundary and the sad death of Lord
Herschell appeared. perhaps. TO nulify the
commissions labors. I see that the Bos-
ton Chamber of Commerce has petitioned
for reciprocity with Canada This I re-
gard a most hopeful sign. 1t will be
one of my aims when / return to the United
States TO foster this desire for a closer
commercial relationship between the do
minion and the United States. L know all
the difficulties standing in the way, but
cannot help thinking that some arrange
ment which will be 10 the mutual advan-
tage of the two countries is feasible.
should hope to include Newfoundland
ma king its interests Identical with those of
Canada. although so far as Newfoundland
is concerned IL is all a question OF fish, and
the Gloucester fishermen do not always see
things in just the same light as do the peo-
pie of Newfoundland. In spite of the atti-
tude of Canada toward Newfoundland and
in spite OF the trade difficulties of both
Canada and Newfoundland in dealing with
the United States, / by no means despair
of effecting some sort of reciprocity
scheme which will. when the Nicaragua
matter has been justly and amicably set
tied and the West Indian treaties have been
arranged, bring Great Britain and the
United States TO even a better basis of
common understanding than exists to-day -