The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-12-14
NO. 634.

| estaohshiheht Oh territorial government over
| Arizona.
fhs isrhhUs TRANSIT ROUTES AND THE QUEsTroNs
CONNECTED THEREwiTH
The political condition Of the narrow istbm M
oil Central America through which transit routes
pass, between the Atlantic aud Pacific oe cans.
presents subject OF deep interest to all com.
merclai nations. IL IL over these transits that
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 importance, as means of COM
munication between their Atlantic and Pacific
| possessions. The latter now extend throughout
seventeen degrees of latitude on the Pacific coast.
embracing the important State of California and
the hourlshlng Territories of Oregon and WASH
ington. All commercial nations, therefore. have
deep and direct interest that these communica
lions shall be rendered secure from interruption.
Ii an arm OF the sea, connecting the two oceans
penetrated through Nicaragua and Costa Rica, II
could not be pretended that these States would
have tie right to arrest or disturb its navipaton
70 the injury of other nations. The transit by
'ahd over this narrow isthmus occupies nearly the
same position 1t isl highway which they them
selves have little interest, when eompared with
the vast interests to tho rest of the world
whist their rights OF sovereignty ought to be
respected, 1t is the duty Of other nations to re-
quire that this important passage shall not be in.
outbreaks which have so frequently occurred in
that region. The stake is too important 10 he
lett at the mercy of rival companies, claiming to
mold conflicting contracts with Nicaragua. The
commerce OF other nations is not to stand still
and await the adjustment of such petty contro.
versies. The government of the United States
expect no more than this, and they will not be
saushed with less. They would not il they could
derive any advantage from the Nicaragua transit
n nf tba
trailty and protection, for the common use of all
nations is their only object They have no oh.
Jecton that Nicaragua shall demand and receive
a ialr compensation from the companies and in.
dividuals who may traverse the route; but they
insist that it shall never hereafter be closed by
any arbitrary decree Of that government. If
usputes arise between it aud those with whom
they may have entered into contracts, these must
be adjusted by some fair tribunal provided for
the purpose, and thu route must not he closed
pending the controversy. This is our whole mol.
Ice, and 1t cannot fail to be acceptable to other
nations.
All these difficulties might be avoided if con.
sistently wite the good faith of Nicaragua, the
use OF this transit could be thrown open to gen.
eral competition; providing at the same time for
the payment OF reasonable rate to the Nieara-
guam government, on passengers and freight.
In August, 1882 the Accessory Transit Com
pany made its first interoceanc trip over the Mic
iraguan route, and continued in successful oper-
auon with great advantage to the public, until
The 18th February, 1885, when it was closed and
Ihe grant to this company, as well as its charter,
we're shmmarily and arbitrarily revoked by the
government of President Rivas. Previous IN
ms date however, in 1854, serious disputes con
'erning the settlement of their accounts had
risen between the company and the government,
threatening the interruption OF the route at any
moment. These, the United States in vain en-
leavored to compose. Ii would be useless to
larrate the various proceedings which took place
between the parties, up to the time the transit
,as discontinued. Suffice il to say that since
february, 1885, it has remained closed, greatly
the prejudice of citizens of the United States
Ance that time the competition has ceased be.
"een the rival routes Of Panama and Nicaragua.
NO. IN consequence thereof, unjust and un-
easonable amount has been exacted from our
itlzens Tor their passage to and from California.
treaty was sighed on the l6lh day of Nov.
soI, by the Secretary of State and Minister of
nicaragua under the stipulations of which the
Sc and protection of the transit route would
ave been secured, not only to the United States,
W equally to all other nations. How and on
hat pretext this treaty has failed to receive the
OF the Nicaraguan government will
ppear by the papers herewith communicated
om the State Department. The principal OBJ
cuon seems to have been to the provision au-
'o1,"S 'ue ohi'eu states 10 employ force to
eep the route open, in case Nicaragua sbouId
ii to perform her duty in this respect From
e feebleness of that republic, its frequent
ianges OF government and its constant internal
ssenslons, this had become most important
ipulaton, and one essentially necessary not only
e the security OF the route, but for the safety
American citizens passing and repassing to
ID from our Pacific possessions. Were such a
ipuation embraced in a treaty between the
H.
is fact would of itself prevent hostile parties
ON committing aggressions on the route, and
hder our actual interference for its protection
IL ACCESSORY TRANSIT COMPANY AND ITS oPE-
RATIoYs.
Ihe executive government of this country. in
intercourse with foreign nations il limited to
G employment OF diplomacy alone. When
IS iails, it can proceed no further. 1t cannot
sitimateIy resort to force, without the direct
u. unorty OF Congress, eqcept in resisting and re-
ling hostile attacks IL would have no au
orlty to enter the territories of Nicaragua.
EN- to prevent the destruction of the transit
q protect the lives and property of our own
lzehs on their passage. II is true that on n
iden emergency of this character the Presi.
NJ wonid direct any armed force in the vicini-
10 harch to their relief, but IN doing this he
uld act upon his own responsibility
PRESIDENT RECOMMENDS THE PASSAGE OF AN
ACT AUTHORIZING THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE
land AND NAVAL FORCES TO KEEP oPeN THE
TRANSIT ROUTE.
Under these circumstances earnestly recon-.
nd to Congress the passage of an act autho.
ng the President, under such restrictions as
y may deem proper, to employ the land and
'al forces of the United States in preventing
transit from being obstructcd or closed by
less violence, and in protecting the lives and
perty OF American citizens travelling thereup-
requiring at the same time that these forces
u be withdrawn the moment the danger shall
e passed away. Without suck a provision
citizens wonld be constantly exposed to in
upton in their progress, aud to lawless vo-
ce.
similar necessity exists for the passage of
, an act for the protection Of the Panama and
uantepec routes
TIM PANAMA AM rEHUANTEPEC ROUTES.
a reference to the Panama route, the United
es by their existing treaty with New Granada
ressly guarantee the neutrality of the 18th.
, with the view that the free transit from
one to the other sea may not he intcrrup,eJ
Embarrassed in any future time while this
ty exists"
! regard to the Tehuantepec route, which has
J recently opened under the most favorable
naaR fRau a. IL.