ANGLO-AMERICAN INTERESTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 64, 16 March 1900, Page 3

ANGLO-AMERICAN INTERESTS.

It is declaimed there is no prospec of any action at present.with regarc ;to the Hay-Paunceforte canal treaty .It was, though, a great step toward) i the canal when cm February 5 j

treaty, amendatory of the. ClaytonBulwer treaty, was signed by Secretary Hay and Paunceforte. The provisions of the treaty were a guarantee of the United States by Great Britain of the right to construct, operate, maintain, and control an inter-oceanic canal, control to be subject to certain conditions, guarantee by the United States of. complete neutrality of the canal, and that the United States will not fortify approaches to the canal. Guarantee to the United States of right to police the canal. Guarantee that war ships of belligerents, while permitted to use the canal in time of war, should not remain in it more than twenty-four hours. However, consideration of the treat}' cause it to be regarded as an offensive and defensive alliance with Great Britain for the protection of the. western hemisphere. Such a conception of the treaty caused Eepublican leaders of the Senate to request the treaty to be withdrawn, as it could not pass, and might become a campaign document against the President in the approaching election. Secretary Hay is said to believe an Anglo-American alliance is essential to the comfort and well-being not only of the United States but Central and South America. Criticism of the convention is keen and widespread in America, and the treaty as signed is regarded as a good thing for England and bad for America. The treaty certainly cannot obtain the necessary two-thirds vote in the Senate unless so amended as to give United States complete control of the canal at all times, and in all circumstances. On the other hand the London press expressed the opinion that the treaty as signed was a distinct victory for the United States. It was declared to be a matter of congratulation to the world at large that two. nations could so easily agree on a matter of 'such great importance.