National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-08-09
THE INTER- OCEANIC CANAL.
Something About the Proposed Nicaragua
Route.


TO The Editor of the National Republican:
SIR: The Inter.0ceanic Canal has been sud-
denly evoluted into subject of private and po-
ltical discussion and significant National impor-
tance. Many intelligent and wel.read persons
speak oft almost asan original idea, while others
learned in all matters of maratime Importance
both to our own and other nations, from the
floating dry dock that preserved Noah aud his
chattels down to the refrigerating ship that
may yet change to degree the temperature of
the Gulf of Mexico Thereby saving solid
though sweltering SOUTH, discuss familarly
its probable locality and best plan of construc-
tion, but sadly mix up and confound physical
objections or advantages of the routes pro-
posed and seem to have wholly forgotten or to
have never known aught Of the projects, plans,
treaties negotiated and annullod, contracts en-
tered into aud never fulfilled, by the represcn.
tativcs or citizens of at least half dozen dif
ferent nations during period Of at least two
centuries. Some speak of the late Paris Con-
gress" and the different routes, pronou ncing
upon the feasibility of this or that, some over
awed at the immensity Of the undertaking,
others holding it but a small matter in the
hands Of an "enterprising Yankee" But, great
or small, how that the American mind has
been aroused and American interest has been
awakened, one and all concede that wherever
the locale, if upon the American continent, or
whatever the expense, be it millions or bill
hons, the work must be an American work,
and its control must be an American control.
| This Ia simply an American conclusion, natu-
| raj enough, without the reflection that an In
tel. Oceanic Canal is not simple matter Of in.
terest to one nation, but the nations of the
world; and the interest Of all nations hould
be properly considered, properly respected and
guarded.
How this may all be accomplished needs
more than q limited knowledge Of the law OF
nations, and one not well posted may learn
much and be guided, perhaps proftably, by
the references have taken the trouble to pre-
sent iu regard to diplomatic intercourse be-
tween the most learned statesmen Of Great
Britain and America relative thereto.
Upou the news that the French were about
to play "three.card game, and NJ
De Lesseps to turn up the first spade, Senator
Burnside at the close OF Congress- sen
in his protest arousing the ghost of th,
Monroe doctrine" and from this data an(
suggestion the press Of the United States
and the posted aud the unposted, have had
much to say, and yet many are seeking fo
further information. For the benefit of th,
latter we quote from the postulate Of Presi
dent Monroe In 1898; "The American conti
, nents, by the free aud independent condition
r which they have assumed aud maintained
are henceforth not to be considered subject
for further colonization by any European
power"
| Passing over the interim from tho tim
. Columbus landed upon the mosquito coast
Sunday, August a. A. D. 1902, twelve mile
: north of Greytown, to the conclusion OF tn
: Clayton aud Bulwer treaty between tn
6 United States and Great Britain, April Ii
1850 we have premise 10 found an opinion O
; 10 the right of an American TO object 10 an.
. foreign nations occupying or controlling
transit across the American continent
John NJ. Clayton, ia letter dated depart
ment of State Washington, May 2, $780, say
$ that he has negotiated treaty with Sir Henr
Bulwer," aud in conclusion adds: Her (Grea
Britains) protectorate will be reduced TO
shadow-stdt nOmi,sis unJrd-for she ca
neither occupy, fortify nor colonize nor exercis
dominion, OF control in any part Of the mo:
! quito coast or Central America. To attemI
TO do either Of these things after the exchang
, of Publications would inevitably produce
? rupture with the United States"
a For the purpose Of keeping the importane
: Of this right oil way across the American COT
tinent, uncontrolled by any foreign Power "
quote briefly from the language Of Mr. ClaI
g ton; "Can Great Britain imagine that IL