New-York tribune., 1877-01-02
WASHINGTON.
NICARAGUA CANAL.
TERMS OF TIE TREATY FOR IT'S CONSTRUCTION
THE PRESIDENT FAMILIAR WITH THK ROUTE |
AND FAVORABLE TO 1T.


Cardenas, a special commissioner from the
Nicaraguan Government has arrived in Washington
lie has had frequent interviews in regard TO the
construction Of the canal with the Secretary Of
State and the Canal Commission, and all the
diplomatic questions naturally arising under the
circumstances have been fully considered. The
result has been The negotiation of treaty on the
subject which will be transmitted to the Senate for
IL consideration and ratification if it approves Of
it, within few days. The main features Of this
treaty follows:
1t provides for the construction of ship canal
from the Atlantic coast OF Nicaragua at or
near Greytown TO the San Juan River
Thence the route is to be continued by
sackwater navigation TO Lake Nicaragua, and
across that lake to the Rio del Medic. From
that point it is proposed to continue the canal to the
Pacific coast at or near Rio del BrtO. The Govern
ment of Nicaragua IFS part comedies and guaran-
tees all asked tor neutrality rights Among these
is the neutrality Of a specified belt of territory
extending across the istEinus, and an equal neu-
traty for distance of 100 miles out to at each
end of the canal. Along the coast, both on the
Gulf and the Pacific the neutral territory Is TO
tend 100 miles north and south Of the ports and
harbOrs thar may be necessary for the free use Of the
canal The treaty also declares the ports of Greytown
and Brito free and provides that in the event Of
which participate in the construction Of the
canal. all vessels and property Of all those powers
shall be exempt from capture, blockade. OF any
other embarrassment on the neutral territory
and waters connected with the canal by either of
the bclligerents. The property Of private compa-
MES engaged in the construction of the canal Is also
guaranteed full protection by the Nicaraguan Gov
errment. The United states Government on it's
part agrees all its nuence in facilitating the
construction Of the work, and in conjunction with
such other powers may be engaged when the
canal is completed II 10 provide full prOtec-
ton To all property from seizure or cOniscaton, and
guarantees the neutrality Of the canal and all It's
appurtenances 80 chat 1t may be forever open and
free and all clp al invested IN it may be secure.
These guarantees are 10 be withdrawn if at any
time the United States deems the management of
tire canal contrary TO tine regulations agreed upon in
the treaty.
The treaty provides that al the leading maritime
powers Of the globe shall be invited participate in
and share the expense Of the work and to enter into
treaty stipula.ions that effect. II any difficulties
As TO the right of property should arise the United
States is To Use s good offices to adjust them The
construction Of the canal is by the terms of the
treaty 70 begin at the earliest practicable moment,
and the constructors are 10 have priority OF cialm
uDon all the property When the work Is COM
United States and of other nations when participate
in it, construction equal terms.
The Senate will be urged to act promptly On this
treaty IN order that it may be ratified at the earliest
possible moment as soon as il Is formally signed
which will probably be tomorrow. Dr. Cardenas
vii! convey a copy TO his Government and present II
for ratification there. The Nicaraguan Senate will
meet during tine present month, 80 that prompt
action upon il by that Government may be ex-
pected. As has already been announced IN a dis
patch 70 The TRIBUNE, the President, as soon as
the Niraraguan route was determined upon, di
rected that the. maritime powers Of Europe should
at once be advised Of the fact, and invited 10 COM
rnunicate tG this GOycrnmen! their views IN regard
70 it. 1t that at first the British Government
manifested some reluctance 10 taking part IL this
great enterprise Notwithstanding the disposition
shown bv that Government in the negotiation of
the Clayton Buwer treaty of 1880 relative to TINS
subject. Since that time the patient exploration
and careful survey Of the different routes proposed
for a canal across the American lsthmus
have placed this nation foremost among the
powers Of the world in connection with
this great undertaking, and have given 1t
a prestige which IS now fully recognized by Euro
pean governments. la proof of this Great Britain
Germany, and Russia have already intimated their
hearty approval OF the proposition made 20 them by
the United States and their readiness % participate
by contributing portion of the necessary funds Tor
building the canal. NJ communication OF DEFINITE
character showing the disposition of France, Italy,
and Austria toward the undertaking has yet been
received. Spain, while approving of the work. and
showing disposition to give it tact support, will
not be able probably to contribute to the expense
Of il.
The President in speaking of this important work
4ays that ne has always been greatly Interested IN
the opening of navigation across the lsthmuS, ana
that ne has now no dou5t to ts entire feasibility
The maritime nations OF Europe, far ~ they have
been heard FROM have proved their readiness 10 CO.
operate with the United States and to recognize the
international character Of the work by according
strict neutrality to IT, and some OF them by partci-
patng in the expense of construction. lie says that
the actual cost of tine work. ac"ordng 10 th' esll-
mates. would be about S50,OOOOOO, though the
round sum of 800 900 900 was the one stated. IN
order that gross sum might be- gwen Which "o.'u
not in any contingency be exceeded. lie says Ina'
mo j. nr.ualy familiar with the Nlcaraguan route.
and can himself testify to its practcabty that ne
crossed the lsthmus at that point years ago on
his way 20 join his command in California; that the
level Of The lake Is not more than 1O7 feet above
tide ON the Atlantic side; that the length of canal
requiring excavation is not nor" than 81 miles,
while there will be slack water navigation by means
Of dams ON the san j 1an River, from the mouth OF
fine san Carlos to Lake Nicaragua, distance oi
about SO miles. lake navigation for less thah oV
miles to Virgln Bay, and continuance OF the calal
thence through beautiful valleys Ot the MO ueI
Medic ana Rio Grande to 6rto
In = rccept conversation the President alluded to
the other routes over which careful Hstrnme"Ia
.urvcv. had also bcca made and each 4 which pos
sesses some advantages. None he said has rs many