National Republican., 1882-12-14
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
MR.. BLAINE AND THE NICARAGUA CANAL
To fhe EdilOr.


cial organization of the Pacific coast, visiting
Washington for the purpose of urging, by
every honorable means, the passage of the
Nicaragua canal bill, have read with regret
the report of an interview with Mr.. Blaine,
which places him in position antagonistic to
a measure absolutely necessary to the Pacific
coast states and territories.
1t is evident that Mr.. Blaine has never read
the Nicaragua canal bill or he would not have
asserted that the government is thereby re-
quired to expend SO, 100000 for its construc-
tion. The bill does not require that the gov
ernmcnt shall expend one cent in construc-
tion, the responsibility for which rests, as it
should, entirely upon the company. Let the
document itself prove the value of this asser-
ton.
The remarks attributed to Mr.. Blaine in ref
erence to the bearing of the ClaytOn-Bulwer
treaty are equally inapplicable. l respect
fully submit that there is not clause, either
in the franchise from Nicaragua or in the bill
before congress which conflicts with the
Clayton Bulwer treaty. On the contrary, the
franchise distinctly atlirms the neutrality of
the canal, and its equal tariff on ships of all
nations, except that, for consideration given,
ships owned by our government may have
free use of the canal.
If Mr. Blaine holds that the Clayton-Bulw
treaty is, or should be operative, there is
|
antee of neutrality required by said treaty,
and, ou the completion of the work, we can
invite Great Britain to join us in carrying
out the provisions of the treaty.
If Mr.. Blaine holds that the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty is not operative, or that the time has
arrived when the government shall seek its
amendment or abrogation, by giving the re-
quired notice, there is abundant time TO effect
this during the four or five years required for
construction.
Permit me to suggest that this question
need not be discussed until the completion of
Z the canal We certainly violate no treaty
by authorizing the formation of a construction
company. The necessity for discussion will,
or can, arise only upon completion of the
work.
AS regards the defenseless condition of the
Pacific coast, permit me to ask Mr.. Blaine
what can be more defenseless than our present
condition? Either Chill, Japan, China, or
Great Britain have naval armaments con-
S stantly upon the Pacific which could forbid
. access to our Pacific ports and destroy San
9 Francisco by bombardment. We need not
: fear any military power by land, while by
, sea the construction of the canal cannot render
: us more defenselcss than we now are. On
G the contrary, an American intcroccanic canal
: will greatly increase our maritime commerce,
t and render us better able to cope with foreign
S powers by furnishing the personnel and ma
) terial for a navy when congress becomes con-
|
enemy. The producers and merchants of
4 the Pacific coast ask Congress for the passage
: of this bill as the only available project
: which holds out the prospect of cheap trans
y portation for our vastly increased and increas-
y, ing products. 1t will open to our eastern
manufacturing industries, on q basis of ad-
p vantageous competition, the growing trade OF
q the Central and South American republics
= 1t will draw closer in the bonds of a common
o nationality the extreme west and the extreme
a | east
. . The legislatures of California and Oregon
8 have expressed the sentiment of the people
v of the Pacific coast by the unanimous adop-
tion of concurrent resolutions urging upon
congress the passage of the act incorporating
the Maritime Canal company of Nicaragua "
= Permit us then to indulge the hope that
" Mr.. Blaine's solicitude for our defenseless po-
/ sition will no longer prevent his support Of a
4 measure absolutely necessary to the Pacific
u coast. We shall, on the contrary, greatly ap.
4 preciate his good will to project which lin:
v become indispensable to our industrial and
. commercial development. Respectfully yours
= WILLIAM i. MERRY,
n Commissioner for the board of trade of San
Francisco, the Portland (Ore.) board of trade
and the chambers of commerce of Los An.
geles.
9 WASHINGTON, Dec. g. 1882.
: THE HOLLAND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION
a To The Editor. .
i SIR: The Holland international exhibi
# tion, which opens in Amsterdam May l. an6
:. continues until October 81, 1888, promises tt
a be as favorable an opportunity for our manu-
. facturers and Others to introduce and extend
I. the sale of their goods in foreign mar
I, kets Throughout the world as any exhibition
!, which has preceded it,
- 1t is well for our manufacturers to consider
:. carefully two things, viz: That the infuenc
ct and benefits of an international exhibition
rs held in commercial center like Amsterdam
i: shy no means limited either to the countr,
r. in which it is held, or to the Netherand colo
4 nies, but reaches every country where Dutcl
d capital is employed, and invites the attention
: OF merchants of every nationality.
b, The next point to consider is that we hav
y within few years been extremely anxious t
S. obtain footing in foreign markets, and it ap
:, pears to be that the present accumulation O
~ n surplus in many branches of manufacture
10 an indication not to be overlooked.
1t is idle to suppose that foreign trade q
any material value to the individual manufaC
turer or the country at large can be created i
o a day. To supplant goods already in use @
,d to introduce new articles among any people,
necessarily slow process, as any manufaC
turer can tell you who enjoys to-day fai
y, amount of export trade.
S., 1t is true that exhibitions in any part of th
= world, are of comparatively little value, unles
to they are properly brought to the notice {
IS, visitors by competent person in attendance
es who is able to explain their merits, tax
orders, and wisely distribute circulars, sc
Mt containing the information required. Sue
oy circulars should be prepared by some expt
ry rienced person, especially for foreigners, i
the most concise and lucid manner, and in til
90 language best understood by those attendin
ch the exhibition. To meet this important II
ut quisite, am organizing q force of suitabl
H. men to look after the interests of such eXhil
of itOrs as send no special agents of their owl
ed The terms to depend on the nature of the el
w. hibit, and the service desired.
on Our trade with the Netherlands has notabl
S. increased during the past few years, statistic
on showing that whereas our trade with Hollan
he and her colonies amounted in 1875 to $9,S 500
732, in 1881, or in six years, it had risen
he $32 1888, and this too in spite of the fa
rt, that during half that period prices of goods
en- this country had materially advanced.
er 1t requires but little foresight to discovC
of that the tendency of our legislation is in IL
ne direction of tariff notifications favorable
25 export trade, and it is also apparent that "
up shall require an outlet for our surplus pr
IS ducts, whether in manufactured goods or pr
TO ducts of the soil. So evident is this that al
reflective mind cannot fail to see the wisdo
of improving every possible opportunity
prepare the way for a condition ofthngs whiC
ST. frequent precedents show will soon retui
,to again,
ew Appiicatlohs LOT space arc steaully CONN.,
A in, and everything indicates an increasil
is appreciation of the value and Importance
this exhibition, both for our manufacturer