The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-20 00:00:00

ARIZONA.

" And in this connection permit me to recall your
attention to the condition of Arizona. The popu-
lation of that territory, numbering, as is alleged,
more than 10,000 souls, are practically without a
Government; without laws, and without any regular
administration of justice. Murder and other crimes
are committed with impunity. This state of things
calls loudly for redress ; and I therefore repeat my
recommendation for the establishment of a terri-
torial government over Arizona.
ISTHMUS AFFAIRS.—THE SEVERAL ROUTES
FOR TRANSIT. ACROSS IT.

" The political
condition of the narrow isthmus of Cen
tral America through which transit routes pass, between
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, presents a subject of deep
interest to all commercial nations. It is over these transits
' that a large proportion of the trade and travel between the
European and Asiatic continents is destined to pass. To
the United States these routes are of incalculable import-
ance, as a means of communication between their Atlantic
and Pacific possessions; The latter now extend through-
out several degrees of - latitude on the Pacific coast,
embracing the important state of California and the flourish-
ing territories of Oregon and Washington. All commercial
• nations, therefore, have a.deep and direct interest that the
communications shall be rendered secure from interruption.
If an arm:o_flthe sea connecting the two oceans penetrated
through Nicaragua and • Costa Rica it could not be pre-
' tended that these states would have the right to arrest or
retard its navigation, to the injury of other nations.
The transit by land over this narrow isthmus occupies
nearly the same position. It is a highway in which
. they themselves have little • interest, when compared
with the vast interests of • the rest of the world.
Whilst their rights' of 'sovereignty ought to be respected,
' it is the duty of other nations to require that this important
passage shall not be interrupted by the civil wars and revo-
lutionary outbreaks which have so frequently occurred in
that region. The stake is too important to be left at the
mercy of rival companies, claiming to hold conflicting con-
' tracts with Nicaragua. The commerce of other nations is
not to stand still and await the adjustment of such petty
controversies. The Government of the United States
expect no more than this, and they will not be satisfied
with less. They would not, if they could, derive an ad-
vantage from the Nicaragua transit, not common to the rest
of the world. Its neutrality and protection, for the common
use of all nations, is their only object. They have no objec-
tion that Nicaragua shall demand and receive a fair com-
pensation from the companies and individuals who may
traverse the route ; but they insist that it shall never here-
after be closed by an arbitrary decree of that Government.
If disputes arise between it and those with whom they may
have entered into contracts, these must be adjusted by some
fair tribunal provided for the purpose, and the route must
not be closed pending the controversy. This is our whole
policy, and it cannot fail to be acceptable to all nations.
"All these difficulties might be avoided if, consistently
with the good faith of Nicaragua, the use of this transit
could be thrown open to general competition; providing at
the same time for the Payment of a reasonable rate to the
Nicaraguan Government on passengers and freight.
" In August, 1852, the. Accessory Transit Company made
its first interoceanic trip over the Nicaraguan route, and
continued in successful operation, with great advantage to
the public, until the 18th of February, 1856, when it was
closed, and the grant to this company, as well as its charter,
were summarilyand arbitrarily revoked by the Government
of President Rivas. Previous to this date, however, in
1854, serious disputes concerning the settlement of their
accounts had arisen between the company and the Govern-
ment, threatening the interruption of the route at any
moment. These the United States in vain endeavoured to
compose. It would be useless to narrate the various pro-
ceedings which took place between the parties up to the
time when the transit was discontinued. Suffice it to say,
that since February, 1856, it has remained closed, greatly to
the prejudice of citizens of the Unitedm§ttes. Since that
time the competition has ceased between t e rival routes of
Panama and Nicaragua, and in consequence thereof an un-
just and unreasonable amount has been exacted from our
citizens for their passage to and from California.
" A treaty was signed on the 16th day of November,
1857, by the Secretary of State and Minister of Nicaragua,
under the stipulations of 'which the use and protection of
the transit route would have been secured, not only to the
United States, but equally to all other nations. How and
on what pretexts this treaty has failed to receive the ratifi-
cation of the Nicaraguan Government will appear by the
papers herewith communicated from the state department.
The principal objection seems to have been to the provision
authorising the United States to employ force to keep the
route open in case Nicaragua should fail to perform her
duty in this respect. From the feebleness of that republic,
its frequent changes of government, and its consequent in-
ternal dissensions, this had become a most important stipu-
lation, and one e:sentially necessary, not only for the secu-
rity
.Of the route, but for the safety of American citizens
passing and repassing to and from our Pacific possessions
Were such a stipulation embraced in a treaty between the
United States and. Nicaragua, the knowledge of this fact
would of itself most probably prevent hostile parties from
committing aggressions on the route, and render our actual
interference for its protection unnecessary.
" The executive government of this country, in its in-
tercourse with foreign nations, is limited to the employment
of diplomacy alone. When this • fails it can proceed no
further. It cannot legitimately resort to force, without the
direct authority of Congress, except in resisting and repel-
ling hostile attacks. It would have no authority to enter
the territories of Nicaragua, even to prevent the destruction
of the transit, and protect the lives and property of our
own citizens on their passage. It is true that on a sudden
emergency of this character the President would direct
any armed force in the vicinity to march to their relief, but
in doing this he would act upon his OWII responsibility.
" Under these circumstances I earnestly recommend to
Congress the passage of an act authorising the President,
uuder such restrictions as they may deem proper, to em-
ploy the land and naval forces of the United States in pre-
venting the transit *from being obstructed or closed by