The Portland daily press., 1884-12-19
NICARAGUA TREATY.
Its Real Provisions Given to the
Public.
TEE PROPOSED CANAL OPEN TO
THE WORLDS COMMERCE..

1
NEW YoRK, Dec. 18-The Tribune prints
MS morning what it styles the correct version
| at the Nicaragua treaty, together with the
| Presidents message on transmitting it to the
senate. The two documents occupy four COL
umns, and the Tribune prefaces them with the
| following:
The publication Of an incorrect synopsis of the
/ proposed Intef-oceaHic canal treaty between the
United States and Nicaragua has prov ,ked so mach
discussion that the text Of the document which is
gNe5 nerewlth, together with the message in
| which President Arthur eommends it TO the favors
bic consideration of the Senate will be heartily well
come. A careful perasal of the message and treaty
will furnish the basis for fair and intelligent dis
| cussion of its provisions.
| IL will be seen that the sovereignty of Nicaragua
is not involved; that the United States does OF
propose the acquisition of territory right of emf
nent domaln or to secure political control of NicS-
raRua oy this treaty; and that, with the exception
OF tavoring tolls to coastwise commerce carried on
vessels entirely owned and commanded by citizens
OF the United States and Nicaragua, all other ma
tlons are tosenjoy its peaceabe equal terms.
The provision last mentioned dsposes of the edito-
rial complaint in the London Times of today that
'the summary cabled makes mention of any
provision in the treaty with reference to the
worlds trade"
The Presidents message discusses at some
length the advantages 10 be derived from wa
| ter communication between the Atlantic and
Pacific Ststes By means of the proposed canal, i,
gives The history of former Efforts to End the
mes6 practicable route, and calls particular at
tention TO the provisions of this treaty. Hs
r discusses tne political, conzhescial ana pecnni-
sry aspects OF the enterprise as follows:
The terms of the treaty as to the protection of
the canal, while scrupulously conforming to the
| sovereignty OF Nicaragua, amply that state
ard thai work itse I, from possible contingencies of
the future which it may not be within the sole pow
| er of Nicaragua 10 meet. From purely CONNER
| cisl point of view the completion of such water
way opens most favorable prospect for the future
OF our country. The nations of the Pacific of
South America Will by its cans bs brought into
closer connection with our Gulf States The rela-
| ton OF those American countries to the United
States is that of natural msrket, from which the
want Of direct communication has hitherto practi-
caliy excluded us BY piercing the Isthmus the
heretofore insuperable Obstacles of time. sea and
distance disappear and vessels and productions
will enter upon the worlds competitive fold with
decided advantage, of which they will vail them
| selves.
When to this is Joined the large coasting trade be-
| tween the Atlantic and Pacific States which must
necessarily spring up, It is evident that this canal
| AFFORDS even alone an efficient means of restoring
our nag to its former place the Such domes.
tic coasting trace would arise immediately for even
fishing vessels of both sea boards which now lie idle
in winter mon hs could then proftably carry goods
| between the Eastern and WesI cru States.
The political effect OF the canal will be to units
closer states Low depending upon raj road corpora
tl0ns for all commercial and personal intercourse
ana it will not only cheaper the of transpora-
lion " put viii rec individuals from the possibility
OF unjust dscrimlnations, 1t will bring the Euro
pean grain markets of demand within easy distance
OF our Pacific States and will give to manufacturers
on the Atlantic seaboard. economical access to the
cities of China, thus breaking down the barrier
which separates the principal manufacturing CEN
tres Of the United States from the markets of the
vast population Of Asia, and placing the Fasting
Stats OF the Union, for all purposes of trade mid
way between Europe anu Asia.
IN point Of time. the gain for sailing vesses
would be great amounting New York to San
Francisco to a saving of rs days, 10 Hong Kong of
" days, to Shanghai of "a days and Callao OF 81
days.
LAKE Nicaragua is about 90 miles long and 40
miles in its width. The water Is fresh and
affords abundant depth for vessels of the deepest
OtAugnJ Several islands give facilities
Iishing coal stations, ssupply depots, harbors and
places or re airs: The advantage of this vast in
land tharsor is evident.
The lake is 1Io feet above tide water. Six locks
or fTe intermediate levels required for the Pa
enc end OF the canal. On the Atlantic side but
five locks four intermediate levels are D opposed
These locks would in practice no more limit the
number Of vessels passing through the canal than
would single tide-lock on the Pacific end which is
necessary in even the sea Level route.
Inc total canal excavation would be from 431a
to oS1s miles ana The lake and river navigation
amounting to I16 miles by present survey viii he
somewhat increased if the new surveys are sue
From New York to San Francisco by this route
Tor sang vessels the time is ten days shorter than
BY the Panan route.
The purely peeuuiary prospectsiof the canal as
an Investment are subordinate the great national
benehts to accrue from 1t, but it evident that
the YORK, great as the cost may appear, viii be a
measure VI prudent economy aud foresight il uu-
dertaken simply to afford our own vessels a freq
waterway, for its tar-i eaching results will even
within a few years in the life of the nation
amply repay the expenditure by the increase of
national prosperity. Further, the canal would un-
qrestionahly be Immediately remunerative 1t of
lers a snurter sea voyage with continuously favor
Ing Winds between the Atlantic ports of America
and Europe to the countries of the East than any
other practlcable route, and with lower tolls by
reason OF its lesser cost, The Nicaragua route must
be The inter oceanic highway for the bulk of the
worlds trade between the Atlantic and Pacific So
strong is this consideration that it offers an abuud
ant guarantee for investments to be made as we'll
as for the speedy payment of loan of $4 900 900
which ,he treaty stipulates shall be made to Near
nf int rtal
ments to serve as aids TO the business of the canal
The President refers to the efforts of the
Nicaragua Canal company organ zed under
the Menccal concession aud in the following
terms recommends that they be suitably re-
wsrded:
In conclusion urge, the justice Of recognizing
the aid which has recently been rendered in this
matter by some of our ctizebs. The efforts of GER
tain gentlemen concerned with the American COM
pahy which received concession from Nicaragua,
now terminated aud replaced by this international
compact accomplished much of the preliminary Is
Dors leading to The conclusion of the treaty. You
may have occasion to examine the matter OF their
services when such further information you may de-
sire Will be fu nished you. may add that the cansl
can be constructed by the able ,engineer's corps of
our army under their thorough system, cheaper and
better than any work of such magnitude in any
other way De Dmlt. CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
The salient features of the treaty. as pub
lished by the Tribune are given below:
The United States shall have exclusive control OF
the construction of the canal, railroad and tee-
graph line, If the same be built
The management, care and protection OF the ca
nal and ts accessories including said railroad and
telegraph line. If built, under the gener supervis-
lon II the Two governments, shalt be entrusted to
board CT managers which shall consist of Six men,
bers, three OF h0m sh al be appointed by the Pres
dent Of the United States and three by the Repub-
lie Of Nicaragua.
Tolls shall be equal for vessels of all nations ex-
cept that vessels entirely owned and commanded by
citizens of either one of the parties to this
on and engaged in coastiag trade may be favored.
N1cara2uan vessels portion only OF the
shall pay propoItionate tolls and shall pay tolls
where the canal shall use any part of any existing
All proceeds of the canal and its accessories in
Guiding SAID railway andteegraph line, shall be APP
piled 10 the improvement and maintenance OF the
works. including The salaries of the board of manag
ers. all officers and others employed
The balance shall be paid to the two gov
ernments in the following proportions: To Nj
caragua one-third and to the United States two
thirds.
The United States frankly disavow any intention
to- IN any way, seek to impair independent
efeignty of Nicaragua aggraBdiza themselves at
the expense OF that State of any of her sister
puolcs ~ Cehtrat america, out on the contrary de
slre to strengthen the power OF the free republics
on this continent and to promote and develop their
property and Independence
Tbs United States OF America engages to begin
efec i've work on the canal within o years from
the exchange of ratihcatons of this treaty, and to
complete the canal Wtbia ten years after beganing
it, IL default of which this treaty shall become in-
operative. If insuperable OBSTACLES arise to pro.
long the work the Republic Of Nicaragua
bihds self to extend this period so far as it il
necessary
The United States furthermore agrees to loan to
the epublic Of Nicaragua 81 0uO.0vO at three per
cent per annum, interest, TO be used in the COM
petiUn of the railroad aud telegraph lines which
viii be of aid 10 the canal aud the government OF
Nicaragua agrees that the United States shall be
credited with and receive the share of Nicaragua in
the net revenues of the uutill the debt Is
tingushed.
MRS. STONES WILL.