The Sun.
London, England, 1856-07-12 00:00:00

:~ -~.,

T.EI CENT itAL, AIIIKURCAN QUESTION,

The following memorandum, drawn up by the
representatives of Honduras, will be submitted to
the representatives of the different European
Powers accredited to her Majesty, as explanatory
of the policy of Honduras on the only subject on
which it can have a general or European interest :
"The geographical position of Central America, be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, gives to that
country a special interest in the eyes of Commercial na-
tion 4. •

The establishment of adequate lines of interoceanic
communication through its territores by means of rail-
ways or canals, or both, is an object of universal im-
pnrtanee.
a Great Britain and the United States, recognising its
importance, have made it the sui,ject of a special con-
vention, concluded in the year 1350, in Article VIII. of
which they establish, as a general principle,' and agree
'to eiktend their protection, by treaty stioulations, to
all 'practicable communications, whether by canal or
railway, across the isthmus which connects North and
South America.'
" They also declare that such communications be-
ing open to the subjects and citizens of Great Britain
and the Unite I States♦ on equal terms, should also be
open to the subjects and citizms of every other State
which is willing to grant theret ) such protection as
Great Britain and the United States engage to afford.'
"Now, although several lines of interoceanic commu-
nications have been designated, each having its earnest
supporters, yet it is the opinion of competent ju• iges that
the line recently proposed through the State of Hon-
duras, from Puerto Caballos to the Bay of Fonseca,
possesses signal advantages over any other that has
yet been suggested for a railway.
. .

" The commission to which its examination was on-
fi led reported that 'the natural conditions of the county,
its general salubrity, and abundant resources, not less
than capacious, safe, and altogetherunexceptionable har-
bours, at both extremities, distinguish, this line as corn
bining the obvious and primary requisites for anadequate
and permanent inteniceanic communication.' And Cap-
tain Fitzßoy, R.N., in his report to Lord Clarendon on
the subject, after a general review of the various routes,
concludes that this recently proposed line through
Honduras appears to him more promising, as a perma-
nently important work, than any other railway yet pro•
posed across the isthmus?

"To facilitate the construction of a work, promising
so great advantages, the Government of Honduras bas
conceded a charter of the most liberal character to the
parties to whose enterprise the world is indebted for
the discovery and explanation of the route. This char-
ter recognises in their fullest extent the principles laid
down in the convention between Great Britain and the
United States. It offers equal facilities to the whole
world, and is not encumbered by stipulations which
might restrict the usefulness of the work or give to any
nation the slightest advantage over another.
"This charter, which was ratified by the Legislative
Chambers of Honduras, and proclaimed as a law of the
State on the 28th of April, 1854, provides (Art. 5, sec.
6) that the Government of Honduras shall open nego-
tiations with the various Governments with which it may
have relations, for their separate recognition of the
neutrality, and for the protection of the route ;' and
to prevent any misunderstanding or jealousy, it fur-
thermore provides, that the treaty stipulations with
each and all Governments in respect to the said route
sball be in terms the same.'

"In deference to these indicitions, the representatives
of Honduras, accredited by Great Britain, France, and
the United States, have draughted an article which they
conceive might be appropriately appended to all treaties
of amity and commerce that Honduras may have the
good fortune to make with the great maritime Powers
of Europe and America. In framing it they have fol-
lowed cut the earnest wish of their Governments ;:o
concede all useful privileges connected with the pro-
posed transit to all nations on equal terms—viz,, the
recognition of the undisputed sovereignty of Hon-
duras over the line of the road, the guarantee
of its neutrality, and its protection against vio-
lence and interruption. The Government of Hon
duras does not anticipate that circumstances will ever
arise to require any of the Powers which may enter into
these stipulations to give practical force to their guaran-
tees ; but it is not be doubted that the fact of their ex-
istence would give to Honduras a great moral support,
and contribute to make the proposed route of transit
useful and secure.