Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-12-27
NICARAGUA's CANAL.

the LtLE-G-a
The President has presented a lengthy /
message 10 the Senate concerning the /
Nicaragua Canal. After citing the rea- /
sons why the matter should be accom- /
plished, he then refers briefly TO the pc /
Cuniary prospects of the canal, and closes /
by saying: 81 might suggest many other /
considerations in detail, but It seems /
unnecessary TO do so. Enough has been /
said TO more than justify the pratical |
utility Of the measure. /, therefore, /
commit to Congress, IN confident eXpec- /
tatiOn that it viii receive approval, and
that by appropriate legislation means
may be provided for inaugurating the
work without delay after the treaty shall
be ratified"
The chief points are as fol-
lows: "Ihe treaty provides for
the construction, maintenance and
control of an inter-oceanic canal across
the Territory Of Nicaragua. 1t is to
be a government and not a corporation
enterprise. The United States viii furnish
the capital required for the construction
of the canal, and both Governments will
own AMI control the water way. The
United States will have full power to
select the route and entrance works, to
arrange all practical details for the con-
struction and establish ment of the rail-
way and telegraph lines, and the lOca-
I y
/ At the same time the United States will
! assume the responsibility of defending
/ the territory through which the canal
/ passes. Article q provides that there
/ shall be a perpetual alliance between the
/ United States of America and the Re
public Of Nicaragua, and the former
| agrees to protect the integrity and Ter
rItOry Of the latter.
The canal is to be constructed to ad-
: 80 10
used in commerce.
/ For the purpose of carrying out the
! treaty Nicaragua agrees to give the
/ United States free use OfLake Nicaragua,
furnish free of cost all the space neces-
sarV for the construction, main
! tenance and use of the canal
and for the future enlargement,
wherever located and required by
the uss and business of the canal includ-
ing a railway from one terminal of the
canal to the other, substantially parallel
to and near the bank of the canal and
along the southern shore of Lake
Nicaragua, together with a telegraph line
Should the United States decide to con-
struct either said railway or telegraph
line, or both, they shall be regarded, for
all purposes Of this treaty as part of the
canal, so long as they are maintained.
Article 4 says the work will be de-
clared one of public utility, and for the
purposes Of building and operating the
canal, railway and telegraph line, the
Republic of Nicaragua undertakes to ap-
propriate lands except that belonging 10
individuals. Any private property and
real estate held by individuals or CorpO-
ratiOns which shall be taken or used
by the United States lOrthe construction
of the canal or its accessories, or for their
maintenance, shall be so taken upon the
condemnation and appraisement of the
value of such property. The Govern
, mt mt OF the United States will pay the
owners the value Of their property, fixed
by Commission of Assessors,
comprising three members, one
of which shall be appointed by
, the President Of the United States, one
! by the President of Nicaragua, and the
third will be chosen by those two. The
United States or the Board of Managers
hereafter provided for, as the case may
. be, shall have the right to take from the
q public lands in Nicaragua any materials
t whatever, for the construction, preserva-
ton, maintenance and use Of the canal
s and of It's ports, dependencies, aces
SORES and equipments. When the ma.
teTials are taken from private lands, the
. United States or said Board Of Managers
shall enjoy in their use all the rights the
e Republic of Nicaragua enjoys by law anC
usage.
l Article Z sets aside a strip of lanC
two and One-half miles in width, the
middle Of which comedies with the mid
2 die line of the canal, and where the rail
| road must necessarily pass outside Of thu
strip, another strip, quarter Of a mile II
> width, on each side of the railroad line
. is also set aside.
Article s provides thatno customs, toll
or other taxes Of any kind, shall be lev
D led by Nicaragua upon any vessel pass
4 ing the canal, it being to tn
o best interest Of this Govern
T. ment that vessels, their CargOe5
s passengers, baggage and crews shall pas
e the canal free Of any charge other thar
j. that imposed upon them by the OWner
t of the work. Nicaragua can provide
police force to prevent smuggling, tht
cost OfWhich viii be paid by the canal
! Merchandise loaded or unlOaded IN an
= part of the canal, or its accessories, com
- ing from or destined to Nicaragua anC
: intended for the same shall pay the du
ties for expectation and Importation fXeC
: by the revenue laws Of Nicaragua.
. Article y provides that all article
necessary for the construction or repaI
of the canal or any Of its accessorie
s shall be imported free Of duty or tax o
l. any kind.
r Article 13. For and in consideration
s Of the preceding articles the Unlte'
e States of America agrees to furnish tn
:. money to build said canal and its acces
It SORES, including, if found advisable, sal,
2 railway and telegraph lines, tOgethe
with all docks, locks, machine shops
annex machinery, feeders, etc. II bein
! the intent of this agreement tina
! the United States Of AmeriC
q shall build and complete tn
= canal and everything appertaining there
= to, for the safe and speedy passage @
!. vessels hereinbefore described, and 70
4 through communication between Oceal