THE NICARAGUA CANAL

New Zealand Mail, 21 February 1901, Page 66

THE NICARAGUA CANAL

THE HAY-PAUNCEFOTE TREATY. (Per R.M.B. Sonoma, at Auckland.) SAN FRANCISCO. January 24. The Hay-Pauncefote Treaty, which passed the United States Senate and was transmitted to the British Government, has not yet been accepted. Indeed it is the opinion of the Washington officials that the British will add important amendments, which may or may not be acceptable to America. The Canal Bill will not probably be allowed to come up in the Senate. before the attitude of Great Britain has been announced. Henry Watterson, editor of the Louisvill.e “Courier” journal, and a representative mu her cured American, whose opinions cor- be relied upon as independent of party fealty, has written an article upon “The Relations of the United States and England/’ which has attracted much attention on both sides of the water, and which is said to- have acted as a niodify- * y influence atp a . time when England 'crSrnps some- ground for belief that •- ’ vd States was not acting in a partic :•’’, f riendly spirit in her preparation ' tract the Nicaraguan Canal. Copies • reticle have been, sent to leading L =• ten, and it is hoped it tr'U he co" as a fair representation of ihe a<. f > points upon which specie! st‘-ess is «•- : That the Senate has not added s -»■; -‘bing to which Lord. Salisbury wour . . have assented ha ihe been/'cousu *ted y»A/ance by Mr Secretary If ay ■, that no English interests are torched, by the amendments; that Lord Sail i'oiii-y. accept rig the" .revised text, can lay *fe!u. for.adntl m of a frri" - ship between ib<' two nations more during than any alliance; and that th v are strong, reasons for a. Hotter tract standing and a working agreement - . tween the United States and’ Engl a. L Colonel Watterson’s character as a SoaL - erner and a Democrat lends great art ity to thi3 .egression of opinion. I lish newspapers appear to be much y> . . friendly to the treaty since they have time to consider its specifications. rhe “Telegraph” points out that there is no practical difference between the two standpoints in the controversy. England is prepared to recognise America’s claim to the control of the canal so long as provision is made that the waterway shall be free and open to vessels of all nations on terms of entire equality, or that there shall be no disexumination against ary i ation in respect of conditions or charges on traffic or otherwise. These two vital principles, the “Telegraph” declares, have not been touched by the Senate’s amendment to the Hay-Paunce-fote Treaty. Summing up the situation, this newspaper arrives at the conclusion that if the United States were to press for a formal abrogation of the ClaytonBulwer Treaty in the usua.l diplomatic manner, the British Government would not prove difficult to deal with. . The United States Embassy officials are hopeful- of the acceptance of the amended treaty, but the fact remains that the British have taken no action, which may be an indication that the matter will be allowed to lapse without action, even if it is not announced regretfully that Great Britain does not see her way clear to accept the amendments.