The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-19
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
A Strong Argument in Favor of the Propose


New YoKK, Dec 1S.-Following is the Presi-
dents message accompanying the Nicaragua
treaty to the Senate:
ITO the Senate United States:
81 transmit herewith to the Senate, for con-
sderatiOn with a view to ratification. a treaty
signed on the LIST of December with the repub-
lie of Nicaragua, providing for construction of
an interoceanic canal across the territory of
that state. The negotiation of this treaty was
entered upon under the conviction that it is i'm
peratively demanded by the present and future
political and material interests of the United
States. The establishment of water communi-
cation between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts
of the Union is necessity, the accomplishment
of which, however, within the territory of the
United States, is a physical impossibility.
while the enterprise of our citizens has re-
sponded to the duty, creating means of speedy
transit by land between the two oceans, these
great achievements are inadequate to supply the
most important requisite of national union and
prosperity. For all maritime purposes the
States upon the Pacific are more distant from
those upon the Atlantic than if separated by
either ocean alone Europe and Africa are
nearer New York, and Asia is nearer to Cali
fornia, than are these great States 10
each other by sea- Weeks, if steam
voyage, or months under sail consumed in the
passage around the Horn, with the disadvantage
of traversing tempestuous waters or riskng the
navigation Of the Straits of Magellan. nation
like ours cannot rest satisfied with such sepa-
TdtlOH Oh It's mutually uep6DueDb uleIupeTS- we
possess an ocean border of considerably over ten
thousand miles on the Atlantic and Gulf of
Mexico, and including Alaska, of some 10000
miles on the Pacific. Within generation the
western coast has developed into an empire,
with large and rapid growing population, with
vast but partially developed resources. At the
present rate of increase the end of the century
will see us a commonwealth of perhaps nearly
loo, 900, COO inhabitants of which the West
should have a considerably larger and richer
proportion than now"
The President briefly adverts to past efforts,
by means of surveys, to find practicable route
for a ship-canal across the isthmus between The
two oceans. all of which, with single excep-
ton, have resulted in the discovery of insupera-
able obstacles to the building of profitable in
teroceanic canal The proposed treaty provides
for such canal through the friendly territory
of Nicaragua. He invites special attention to
the provisions of tho treaty itself as the best
showing of its scope, and continues as follows:
"From respect to the independent sovereignty
of the republic through whose cooperation the
project alone can be realized, the stipulatio ns of
the treaty look to the fullest recognition and pro-
lection of Nicaraguan rights in the premises.
The United States have no motive or desire for
territorial acquisition political control beyond
their present borders, and none such are contem-
plated by this treaty. Two governments unite in
framing this scheme, rs the sole means by
which this work, as indispensable to one as an
other, can be accomplished under such circum-
stances as to prevent the possibility of conflict
between them and of interference from without
1.-THE canal, primarily, is a domestic means of
water communication between the Atlantic and
Pacific shores of the two countries which unite
for its construction, contributing the terri
tory and the other furnishing the money. Rec
ognizing the advant ages which the worlds com
merce must derive FROM the work. approaching
the benefits of enlarged use to the canal itself
by contributing to its maintenance and by
yielding an interest return on the capital in
vested therein, and inspired by belief that any
great enterprise which inures to the general
benefit of the world is in some sort a
trust for the common advancement of
mankind, the two governments have by this
treaty provided for its possible use by all ma
tons on equal terms, while reserving to the
coasting trade of both countries in which none
but the contracting parties are interested, the
privilege of favoring tolls. The terms of the
treaty as to protection of the canal, while scru-
pulously confirming the sovereignty of Nicaragua
amply secure that state and the work itself
from possible contingencies of the future, which
it may not be within the power of Nicaragua to
meet
From purely commercial point of view, the
completion Of such water way opens a most
favorable prospect for the future of our country.
The nations of the Pacific coast and
South America will, by its means be
brought into closer connection with the
gulf States. The relation of those Amer
lean countries to the United States,
is that of natural market from which the want
of direct communication has hitherto practically
excluded us. By piercing the isthmus hereto
fore insuperable obstacles of time, sea and dis
lance disappear, and our vessels and productions
will enter upon the worlds competitive field
with decided advantage, of which they will
avail themselves When to this is Joined the
large coasting trade between 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 flag to its for
mer place on the seas Such domestic coasting
trade would arise Immediately, for even the fish
ing vessels of both seaboards, which now lie idle
in the winter months could then proftably carry
goods between the Eastern and Western States
''The political effect of the canal will be to
unite more closely the States now depending
upon railway corporations for all commercial and
personal intercourse, and not only cheaper the
cost of transportation, but will free individuals
from the possibility of unjust determinations;
It will bring the European grain markets of de-
mand within easy distance of our Pacific ports
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 centers of the
United States from the markets Of the vast pop
ulation of Asia, and placing the Eastern States
of the Union for all purposes Of trade, midway
between Europe and Asia In point of
time the gain for sailing vessels would be great,
amounting from New York to San Francisco, to
saving of seventy five days. to Hong Kong, of
twenty -seven days; to Shanghai, of thirty four
days; to Callao, of tifty-tw days.
Lake Nicaragua is ninety miles long, and
forty miles at its greatest width. The water is
fresh and affords an abundant depth for vessels
of the deepest draught Several islands give
facilities for establishing coal stations, supply
depots, harbors and places for repairs. The ad-
vantage of this vast inland harbor is evil
dent The lake is ITO feet above
tide water Six locks, or five intermedi-
ate levels, are required for the Pacific
end Of Inc canal; on the Atlantic side. but five