Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-09
The Presidents Message.
TRANSMITTING THE INTER.bCEANIC CANAL co

TRANSMITTING THE INTERsoCEANIC CANAL COR
REsPoNDENCE.
The following Is the message of the President
on the subject Of inter-oceanic canals sent to
Congress yesterday:
To the Sendte:--I transmit herewith the report
of the Secretary of State and the accompanying
papers in response to the resolutions adopted
by the Senate and House In February last re-
quest1ng ''copieS of all correspondence between
this government and any foreign government
since February, 1869, respecting a ship canal
across the Isthmus between North and South
America, together with copies Of the project OF
treaties respecting the same which the Depart
ment of State may have proposed and sub
mit,ed since that date to any foreign power or
its diplomatic representative" In further CON-
pliance with the resolution of the Senate deem
1t as proper to state briefly my opinion as to the
policy OF the United States with respect to the
construction OF an inter-oceanic canal by any
route across the American ISJhmuS.
The policy Of this country Is canal under
American control. The United States cannot
consent to the surrender OF this control to any
European power or to any combination Of Euro
pean powers. Ii existing treaties between the
United states and other nations, or II the rights
OF sovereignty or property OF other nations
stand In the way OF this policy-a contingency
which Is not Observation-Disclosures steps should
be taken, by just and liberal negotiations, to
this subject consistently with the rights of the
nations to be affected by IT, The capital in
vested by corporations or citizens of other coun-
tries in such an enterprise must In great de-
gree look for protection to one or more OF the
great powers of the world. No European power
can intervene for such protection without adopt
ing measures on this continent which the United
States would deem wholly tnadmssible II the
protection Of the United States Is relied upon,
the United States must exercise such control as
will enable this country to protect its national
interests and maintain the rights of those whose
private capital is embarked IN the work.
An 1nter-Oceanfc canal across the American
1sthmus will essentially change the geographi-
cal relations between the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts of the United states, and between the
United States and the rest Of the world. 1t
would be the great ocean thoroughfare between
our Atlantic and our Pacific Shores and virtu-
ally part Of the coast line of the United States.
Our merely commercial interest in it Is greater
than that of all other countries, while Its rela-
lions to our power and prosperity as nation.
to our means Of defence, our unity, peace and
safety. are matters of paramount concern to the
people Of the United States. No other great
power would, under similar circumstances, fail
TO assert rightful control over a work SO
closely and vitality affecting its interests and
welfare.
Without urging further the grounds of my
opinion l repeat, In conclusion, that it Is the
right and duty Of the United States to assert
and maintain such supervision and authority
over any inter oceanic canal across the iSthmuS
that connects North and South America as will
protect our national interests This l am quite
sure. will be found not only compatible with,
but promotiye or the widest and most perma-
Gent advantage TO &C mmerce and civilization.
RUTHERFORD B. HAYES