Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-19
THE ISTHMUS.
Another Version OF the Nicaragua Treaty
President AIthur's Message to the
Senate.

/ The New York Tribune prints this morn
| ing what it styles the correct version of the
I Nicaragua treaty, togethey with the Presi-
dents message on transmitting it to the Sem
ate. The two documents occupy four col
umns and the Tribune prefaces them with
the following;
The publication of an incorrect synopsis
of the proposed Inter-0cean canal treaty be
tween the United States and Nicaragua has
provoked so much discussion that the text of
| the document, which is given herewith to-
| gether with the message in which President
Arthur commends it to the favOrste consid-
Grafton of the Senate, will be heartily well
come. careful perusal of the message and
treaty will furnish a basis for fair and in
telligent discussion of its provisions.
| 1t will be seen that the sovereignty of Mic
aragua is not involved, that the United States
does not propose the aquisation of territory,
or right of eminent domain, or TO secure, po-
litical control of Nicaragua bv this treaty and
that, with the exception of favOring tolls to
coastwise commece carried on by vessels en-
rirely owned and commanded by citizens of
the United States and Nicaragua. all other
nations are to enjoy its peaceful use on equal
| terms. The provision last mentioned dispos-
es of the editorial complaint in the London
| Times Of today that 1.-THE summary cabled
makes no mentien of any provision IN the
treaty with reference to the worlds trade"
| The Presidents message discusses at some
length the advantages to be derived from
water communication between the Atlantic
and the Pacific States by means of the pro-
posed canal, gives history of the former
efforts to find the most practical route and
calls particular attention TO the provisions of
| the treaty. tie discusses the political, com.
mercial and pecuniary aspect OF the enter
prise, as follows:
The terms of the treaty as to the pretec
| tion of the canal, while scrupluously confirm
| ing the sovereignty OF Nicaragua, amply Sc
cure that State and the work itself from pos
sible contingencies of the future which it may
not be within the sole 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 of
South America will, by its means, be brought
into closer connection with all the Gulf
States, The relation of these American
countries to the United States is that of the
national market from which the want of di-
rect communication has hitherto practically
| cluded us. BY piercing the isthmus, the
| heretofore insuperable obstacles of time,
sea and distance disappear and our vessels
and productions will enter upon the worlds
competitive field with decided advantage of
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 evil
dent that the canal affords even alone an eff
Giant means of restoring our flag to its for
mer place on the seas. Such domestic coast
ing trade would arise Immediately, for even
fishing 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 closer States now pending upon rail-
road corporations for all commercial and per-
sonal intercourse and it will not only cheaper
| the cost of transportation. but will free indi-
vlduals from the possibility oI unjust discrlm-
nations. 1t will bring the European 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
centres of the United States from the markets
of the vast population of Asia, and placing
the Eastern States of the Union, for all pur-
poses of trade, midway between Europe and
| Asia.
In point of time, the gain for sailing YES
sells would be great, amounting from New
York to San Francisco to a saving of IS days,
to Hong Kong of 27 days, to Shanghai of "a
days and to Callao of 81 days.
Lake Nicaragua is about 80 miles long and
40 miles in its greatest width. The water is
fresh and affords abundant depth for vessels
of the deepest draught. Several islands give
facilities for establishing coal stations. supply
depots, harbors and places for repairs. The
advantage of this vast inland harbor is evil
dent.
The lake is ITO feet above tide water. Six
locks or five intermediate levels are required
| for the Pacific end of the canal. On the At
lantic side but five locks or four intermediate
levels are proposed. These locks would in
practice no more limit the number of vessels
passing through the canal, than would sin
gle tide lock on the Pacific end which is nee
essary in even the sea level route.
The total canal excavation would be from
431 to $50 miles and the lake and river nav
igation amounting to 119 miles by the present
survey will be somewhat increased if the new
! surveys are successful.
From New York to San Francisco by this
route for sailing vessels, the time is ten day
shorter than by the Panama route
The President refers to the efforts of the
| Nicaragua Canal company organized under
the Menocsl concession and in the following
terms recommends that they be suitably re-
warded
In conclusion>I urge the justice of recog-
| nizing the aid which has recently been rem
dered in this manner by some of our citizens.
| The efforts of certain gentlemen concerned
| with the American COMPANY which received
a concession from Nicaragua. now terminated
and replaced by this international compact
accomplished much of the preliminary labors
leading to the conclusion of the treaty. You
NAV have occasion to examine the matter of
their services when such further information
as you NAV desire will be furnished you.
may add that the canal can be constructed By
an able engineers corpe os our army under
their thorough system, cheaper and better than
any work of such magnitude can in any other
way be built. CHESTER A. Arthur
The salient features of the treaty, as pub
lished by the Tribune are given below
The United States shall have exclusive CEN
troll of the construction of the canalt rail-
road and telegraph line, if the same be built
The management, care and protection of
the canal and Its accessories. including said
railroad and telegraph line, if built. under
the general supervision of the two govern
meuts, shall be entrusted to board Of man
ayers which shall consist Of members. three
/ of whom shall be appointed by the President
of the United States and three by the Repub-
lie Of Nicaragua.
L Toils sbafl ha aoual Gov vassals ~ all ~