Evening star., 1901-07-18
PAUNCEFOTE IS HOPEFUL
THINKS CANAL AND BOUNDARY
QUESTIONS WILL BE SOLVED,
Differences Between the Nations Can
Be Settled, He Says, by
Fair Agreement.

Lord Pauncefote, British ambassador to
the United States, made the following
(statement in London last night:
II am having conferences with the Mar
quis of Lansdowne rot only about Mica
ragua, but also with regard to half a
dozen treaties pending between Great Brit
ain and the United States. These are chief
ly concerned with West Indian reciprocity
arrangements"
When asked If he thought there was
any possibility of arriving at an agree
rnent regarding the Nicaragua canal before
Congress reconvened, he replied:
Yes; I sincerely hope so. We are now
in the middle of the negotiations. which,
although they have not yet reached any
tangible result, show good promise. Nat
urally l may not disclose the details, but
l may say that, when 1 return to the
United States at the end of October, l
hope to take with me Nicaragua treaty
that will meet the views of both Presi-
dent Mckinley and the British cabinet.
1t goes without saying that the President
has made himself cognizant of the opin-
ions of the Senate and of the Secretary
of State.
treaties which the Senate is likely to refuse.
Differences Capable of Settlement.
II really believe the difference of
pable of settlement in an agreement fair
to both. If l could finish my delightful
labors in the United States by accom-
plising this end, l should indeed feel grati-
fled. But the only way this can be at
tanned is step by step, with proposition fol-
lowed by counter-proposition and eventual
ly happy medium. 1t is slow. but / hope
it is sure. If l thought anything could be
done before October, l would return prior
| believe
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 you do not try to deal in an
upderhand way, and SO long as you do
not assume superior airs. they treat you
as one of their own, and no one could say
more than this"
Reverting to the report that majority
of the Senate favored a neutral canal, Lord
Pauncefote said:
1T would be good news if true. ! hap
pen to know that Mr.. Hay consulted the
Senate, both the section supposed to sup
port him and the section credited with
other motives. You may be sure that
whatever is agreed upon between the two
governments will meet with the approval
of the Senate"
He expressed the deepest sympathy
with Mr.. Hay in the loss of his SON. When
asked if the joint commission was likely
to sit again in Washington, he replied:
FavOrs Reciprocity With Canada.
Yes, l think that it viii, although this
will not occur until after my return. l
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 nullify the
commissions labors.
Il see that the Boston chamber of COM
merce has petitioned for reciprocity with
Canada. This l regard as most hopeful
sign. 1t will be one of my aims when I
return to the United States to foster this
desire for a closer commercial relationship
between the dominion and the United
States. 1 know all the difficulties standing
in the way, but l cannot help thinking
that some arrangement which will be to
the mutual advantage of the two countries
is feasible.
Il should hope to include Newfoundland,
making Its interests Identical with those
land IS concerned 1t is all a question of
fish, and the Gloucester fishermen do not
always see things in just the same light
as do the people of Newfoundland.
I'm spite of the attitude of Canada to-
ward Newfoundland, and In spite Of the
trade difficulties Of both Canada and New
foundland in dealing with the United
States, l by no means despair of effecting
some sort of reciprocity. scheme, which,
when the Nicaragua matter has been justly
and amicably settled and the West Indian
treaties have been arranged, will bring
Great Britain and the United States to
even a better basis Of common understand
ing than exists today