New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-12-25
MINOR OBJECTIONS.

Putting aside for the moment the graver
question which the Nicaragua Canal treaty raises,
that Of international obligation, it may br well
to consider briefly some of the objections likely
to be raised which oueh, at the outset to bc dis
,ioSed ui sc comparatively frivolous. There
NAV W. sounl nhl sufficient reasOns ~ a
National 80 International chatirie, iot acclin-
na rs undertake the proposed Wufk 40 this
iine ~ iar refusing Us Is s,'nt ihp Responsible
w which iie contemplated i,eat wound "a
Witp; hNi ihp seal HiHpcii0ns, whatever ,hpt
maA he, shNNlh ne he nagniilpd ~ nNhie ts'l-
mailnn iN pNuiNNntnE iipM WIN cNnsiir'd
tlans which aWehl iN have np weight "a The
discussion at a sui,lgct So vastly Important.
The argument that the shipping iH which
the pronosed canal would he used, would mol
suffice TO make 1t pecuniaIiIy profitable as an
investment is not worthy of consideration.
First of all, il is to be considered that the
United States ought not to contemplate this
work without securing important advantages
in cost of transportation to its own shipping
between its Atlantic and Pacific States. If
that part of the traffic is to be nearly or wholly
free from tolls the return which the country
may expect for its investment Will be secured
in the commercial advantages to its merchants
and its shipping, its producers and its con-
sumers, and these alone will far outweigh the
pecuniary burdens involved by the construction
of the canal. No just estimate, moreover, of
the probable traffic through such canal can be
formed from statistics of transportation in the
past between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
The American traffic would undoubtedly in
crease with great rapdity; the foreign traffic
would extend enormously ALSO If the tolls
which it should be found necessary TO impose
should not prove too serious q tax. 1t is to be
remembered, too, that the most eminent au-
thorities predicted very positively that the Suez
Canal would never pay, and fortified their
opinion with MASSES of statistical data. Yet
that work has proved enormously profitable
The loan to Nicaragua, also. is an insgnifi-
cant matter. 1t is in no sense gift, for there
is no doubt of its repayment if the United
States really means to build the canal, and un
less the United States arrives at that deter
minatOn it has no reason to perfect the treaty,
or 10 make the advance therein contemplated
Nor can an advance made under such circum-
stances be construed rs precedent, to the
dctriment of this country in any future trans
action.
1t is said that the responsibility assumed
under the contemplated treaty will require the
building of a strong navy. But this Nation
wants Il navy in any case. There is no subject
on which public opinion has been more clearly
expressed; none on which the leading men of
all parties are more clearly agreed. 1t is a dis
grace to the country that Democratic refusal to
make ncediul appropriations for the naval
service has left that branch of the National de-
fence in crippled condition. But, putting
aside the cause, all parties agree that the dis
grace ought TO be removed, and that the Navy
of the United States ought to be put rs nearly
rs possible in an effective condition.
Finally, there comes the question of expense
j is urged that large sum of Imoncy must be
appropriated from year to year TO meet the
cost of construction, and that large contingent
expenditures may also be involved. Let il be
cOnsdered first, that the present burdens of
taxation are absolutely not felt by the people
they exist only In the imaginatons of ianatica
theorists. But moreover nearly the entire
sum which may thus be expended will gu tu
people of the United states IN the employ
iient ~ labUt, M The purchase ~ materials, ~
the manufacture 81 iiBn and maphineit ani
equipment f0f railroads. ant ,he bNliaiHe ~
siips ssi thplf armament This expenditure,
~ tme Vt afeai industrial depression, weNii
~ far ~ support aBd stimulate home GdNs'
tries, and avery dollar 80 expended wenld hp az
direct benefit % the people.
These objections, u may be fairly said, do
not deserve serOus consideration IN connection
with treaty Ut vast Importance tn the future
tnterests md the present commerce OF the