Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-05
CENTRAL AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

SLNinaL AmChlCAN Ar AlliS.
II the following speculations and statements of the
N. Y. Times justified by the TRUTH The difficult
problem Of the issue Of our policy towards Central
America, becomes etill more complicated
THE NEW COMPLICATIONS IN THE CENTRAL.
AMERICAN QUESTION.
Ii the complications of the Central American ques
ton multiply for the future they have multiplied in
the past may soon expect to have upon our hands
gordian knot which it will be impossible to unravel.
Ii has been stated that the British Minister a Wash
ingon has formally protested against the frissarri
Treaty. Whether this be 80 or not we have ample
TO believe that the Treaty in question will be
regarded most Objectionable by Lord Pslmerston's
Government, and will be opposed on this ground that
it is preiudicial to British interests.
The treaty lately negotiated and signed by Secretary
Csss and Senor Yrssarr, provides, in the first place.
for the maintenance Of two free ports at each end
of the transit line Secondly, the United States guar
antee the protection and neutrality of the transit.-
Thirdly, the transit is opened to all nations equal
terms; and tourthly, the United States reserve the
right of transporting mails in their own vessels, when
they find it convenient to do s0 These, substantially
are the points in the treaty. Taken in conjunction
with the fact that the present Administration is openly
hostile to the Clayton-Bulwer Convention, this new
arrangement has we understand thrown fresh impe
dmenls in the way of settling the Central American
differences that still exist between ourselves and Great
Britain.
There is no reason to believe that England contra
ry to her professions entertans the covert design o
extending her empire on the American Continent
but she has given unmstakabe evidence that she
will not abandon the main principle enunciated in the
Clayton.B Bulwer Convention. The object of that
agreement, as understood by British Dipomatists
was to prevent either England the United States
from acquiring any possession which might give to
one power or the other the control OF inter oceanic
route. This is the point-and we believe the only
pojpt-for which England now contends She de-
the limited States exarrisinO
exclusive superintendence aud protection over tran
sit route Of the greatest commercial Importance to the
whole civilized world 1fthere is TO be Protectorste
at all she claims that it should be joint Proteotorate
OF the three great maritime powers-ths United
States France and England-so that the neutrality
the transit might be forever secured. From this po
ston amid all the twistngs and turnings of the Cen
tru American mbroglio, Britsh Statesmen have new
| their power, any treaty or arrangement which in
wolves the abrogation of principle that they
| resolutely determined to maintain.
1t is manifest, at glance that the Yrisssrri treaty
| ignores this fundamental principle of the Clayton
Bulwer Convention, and virtually annuls its pro
visions. By the second clause of the former docu
ment protection to the Isthmus route is guaranteed
by the United States alone, and the British argumen
s that, under this excuse, our government can holt
military occupation of one of the most important geo
graphical positions in the world The London Po,
"a journal well known to reflect Lord Palmer
| ston's views-has recently discussed this very sub
ect. 1t has no, hesitated to declare it's opposition t
the Yrissarr Treaty. and to announce that the British
Government will be satisfied with nothing short OF
Joint protectorste and will insist that as far as tn
transit is concerned the three maritime powers b
placed upon a footing of perfect equality. The Pos
looks upon the concession of two free ports as pro
vision 80 obviously dictated by general consdera
| tions that the United States Government could not
with any decency have abstained from inserting suci
stipulation" 1t says that England and France
have the deepest interest in securing the neutrality
every communication whether rail road or canal be
| tween the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and object
most pointedy to the Yrssarri Treaty. as an exhibi
ton Of interference by one Power which, being
ut hand, could at any moment treat the guarantee
neutrality as much waste paper, and make the com
municaton exclusively American"
Such, substantially are the objections which thu
| British Government, through its representative a
Washington, will make, if they not already made
to the treaty lately negotiated by General Cass Lore
Napier will also urge that the provisions OF the Clay
ton Bulwer Convention are still IN torce and thatthel
preclude either England or the United e1er
csing exclusive control any neroceanic route
principle utterly ignored in the Yrssarr treatylt ha
been stated that Lord Napier having failed to conver
| the Administration TO bis views, has dispatched
| messenger to Nicaragua to induce the President o
| the Republic to withhold his ratification. This may
or may not be piece of idle gossip But there ar'
many significant indications that President MARITIME.
will not ratify the Convention which his Minister ha
negotiated. The document, in th3 first place. s devo
|
ests and only guarantees TO Nicaragua that which tt
| Nicaragua rightfuly belongs. In American surveil
ance will be humilisting to the pride OF the Ncars
guam people, and the we'll known hatred OF Presiden
Martinez to this country and is desire 10 make Eng
land and France parties to tie Protecorate, VIII al
prompt him to reject treaty which gives nothing tc
his own countrybut everything to the other contract
ing power. 49, o,,.u o;-,u,,.ton,. 10 ho ro,;o.d j.
connection with this Central American imbrogIio.-
Our Government has mo- yet been othclally IN
formed of the nature of ST. William Gore Ouseley'i
mission. That gen,emsnhimsef has made no com.
muncation to Secretary Cass on the subject. The
| prevailing idea is that he las received general com
mission 10 facilitate in every manner posslole. set
Element of the pending difficulties batween the United
States aud Great Bri,ian We have reason to believe
| however, that a prominent feature in Sir William
Gore Ouseey's instructions was that, in all new ar
| rangements, the prindpl Of the Clayton. Bulwer
| treaty should be preserved, and that no one power
should be allowed exclusive control over the inter
| oceanic routes. Thee are moreover, strong lndics
| tions that a Convention between the United States
| aud Nicaragua simihr in its provisions to the one
lust concluded, was among the possibilities oreseen
by tho British Governments tor MIR. Buchanan's hos
tity to the Clayton }ulwer treaty, and his determ
nation to abrogate VAS no seoret, but matter o
| noorety.
The Nicaraguan "1aceta" of the 18th November
announces tho acceItance by the Nicarsguan Con
gress of the Yrssarrtreaty. This statement needs o.
| course to be subssltiated nor does it involve the
| final ratification Of the treaty by President Mar
tineZ The intelligence of the capture Of Walker, OIL
the 9th of December may have essentially modified
! the final determination of the whole question in Mic
aragua. And if theYrissarri treaty should be event
ually returned to THU country with full Nicaraguar
Endorsement, Sir Wn. Gore Ouseley will probably
move at once in tie matter 10 secure all analogous
arrangement with England, and the Interference o.
the French Mnistf TO secure the transit rights o
France will follow 10 of course.