The New York herald., 1879-09-30
Evidences of General Grants In
terest in the Scheme.
AN EXPRESSION FROM NICARAGUA.
Americans Looked To as the Last
Hope of the Project.
THE FEELING AMONG CAPITALISTS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HEnAIp.l

WASHINGTON, Sept 20. 1879.
Since the return Of General Grant to the United
States of his friends in Washington have heard
anything from him on the subject of the Nicaragua
Canal 1t is supposed that the General is too much
occupied with the receptions and excursions to give
attention just to his future occupation. but by
the mail received from Yokohama at the Navy De-
partment to-day letters from our naval officers
in the Asiatic squadron stating that during the Gen.
erals visit in Japan when he received letters from
Rear Admiral Ammen. he commenced at once to talk
up the subject and inspired new interest in the
project. One of the officers says:-
General Grant is thoroughly in for it, and
catch the enthusiasm from him. That seems to
assure the building of the great interoceanc canal
via Nicaragua.
ANOTHER SURVEY PROBABLE.
1t was generally understood among the officers Of
the navy in Asatic waters that without delay another
expedition would be sent to resurvey the routes and
make a final report the most available In
explanation of such expedition requests have
been made by officers to be ordered home that they
may have the honor and the pleasure of aiding in
the begnnr. of the great work. The interest which
General Grant takes in the project of building the
canal may, therefore, be fairly judged by the tenor
Of the private letters addressed to naval officers
duty in Washington and the prominence which the
General appears to have given the subject in his
conversations after he had sent the telegram II ap
prove, to his friend. Admiral Aminen.
THE EXPRESSION NICARAGUA.
Additional interest is given to the subject by the
receipt of letters from the Minister of Public Works
In Nicaragua. who during General Grants ad
ministration the representative of his country here
in Washington. He writes to Engineer A. G. Mono
CAL who is to visit Nicaragua the latter part of this
year at the request of that government, follows
After what happened in Paris last May. at the
Congress convened to discuss the canal routes the
mon nf he tha An,ar
people as the only one likely to build canal
the country, and. our hopes all concentrated
in that work, the President of Nicaragua and all
people are anxious to grant anything that may be
required to facilitate the construction of tho canal
General Grants Willingness to identify himself
with the canal company was promptly made known
to the Nicaraguan government in advance of its
being published in the United States. that govern
mcnt might be prepared for any proposition
coming from European capitalists or project
The letter of the Minister Of Public
Works speaks of the great satisfaction which
General Grants acceptance of the proposed trust
gives to the people of Nicaragua. 1t appears that it
is nothing new to them. for just before tho ending
Of the Presidential term of General Grant he was
urged to become, retiring from the White
House. the head OF the Nicaragua company. He
thought favoraby of the proposition. but had then
partially made up his mind to mako trip around
the world, and concluded to 60 the journey and
United States. Hence the of his readiness now
to engage in the enterprise gives the Ncaraguans
additional confidence in the final success of tho
scheme to connect the waters of the two great
oceans.
SEEKING POLITICAL OFFICE.
1t will thus be secn already stated in these de-
spatches that the subject is with which Gen.
sral Grant is thoroughly familiar. and cx-
plicitly confirms the other statement that during
~. All.
view the proposition made by Rear Admiral
Ammen behalf of the friends of the
Nicaragua route before he left Washington and
which was renewed at the earliest opportune moment
when the General ending his journey.
These facts given by the friends OF the General to
convince others that his whole aspirations in a
business direction and that he docs not even so
much consider the probability of ever again filling
political Office.
THE NECESSARY CONCESSIONS.
In regard to the concessions necessary for the
establishment of the company. it is said that Nicar
aqua has full control of the water route and that
the consent of Costa Rica is not necessary. The
most that Costa Rica could claim would be
the location of tho ends of three dams,
but it is contcnded that these could
be located upon ground still belonging Nicaragua
and not yet ceded TO Costa Rica. treaty only par
TALLY ratified did propose to abandon the boundary
Of Costa Rica to the southern bank the San Juan
River. but it is still pending before the Nicaraguan
government
BUSINESS MEN INTERESTED.
Mr.. Menocal says that during his recent visit to
Now York he conversed with n number of prominent
capitalists and leading business men, who gave
great encouragement toward starting the enter
prise. Very much depends upon what own gov
ernment will give now. not in the way of
loan. but for providing for speedy surveys and
the visit of corps of ablest engineers
to the country through which 1t is proposed con-
struct the canal. The general revival of business
and the desire to make the United States the leading
nation in all great enterprises. Mr.. Menocal thinks
will greatly encourage capital to sock an enterprise
which must forever pay the investors u large per
cent on the capital stock.
A IN1