The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-12-16
NICARAGUA TREATY.
Its Leading ProvisiOHs-COstrnct of the
Canal acknowledgement Trade.

New YORK, Dec. 16.--The Times pr ints this
morning the leading provisions of the Nj
caragua treaty. The preamble recites its OBJ
Ject TO oa To maintain and improve the good
understanding and friendly relations which
now happily exist between the two govern
ments, promote the commerce of their citizens
and make arrangements with respect 20 a
ship canal between the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans by the river San Juan, Lake Nicaragua
and thence to the Pacific ocean by the harbor
OF Briio.
The United States undertakes to construct in
accordance with survey and plans already
partially made, under and by direction of A.
q. Menoeal, civil engineer of the United States
navy, TO De immediately completed and per-
fected with all possible dispatch, ship canal
suitable for all demands and requirements of
commerce.. 1t is TO begin at the port of San
Juan de- Nicaragua, known as Greytown, and
TO intersect the San Juan river above the Rio
Colorado, aud proceed by the river San Juan
to Lake Nicaragua, and across that lake to the
mouth of River Del Medic, and thence to the
Pacific ocean at the harbor of Brto.
In consideration OF this undertaking on the
part OF the United States the Republic of Nj
caragua is to cede, grant and convey to the
United States of America the right of way
through her territory along and across the
water highway thereof and in addition thereto
IN perpetuity strip of land three miles wide
on each side of ths said canal together with
ports and harbors at San Juan de Nicaragua or
Greytown and Brito, respectively, on the At
lantic and Pacific coasts. The absolute owner
ship, control and management of the canal ia
to % in and exercised by the United States,
but the republic of Nicaragua is to have one
half Of the tolls levied and collected on the
commerce of the canals.
The lands granted to the United States bs-
come its property and part of its domain. The
republic of Nicaragua, however, retains GER
tam rights of police regulation to prevent, if
necessary, smuggling or illegal importation
into her own territory.
The greater part of the treaty relates to the
boundaries of the land granted to the United
States and the provisions relating to police
regulation thereof Tolls are 10 be regulated
by the United States and collected By its Off
Gers at the ports of entrance. The government
OF Nicaragua is however TO have the power of
keeping permanent commission of agents
with the rgnt to inspect operations to ascer-
tain the tonnage of vessels, to examine ac-
counts and report thereon, but not to inter
fere in the supervision, government, manage
ment, direction and administration of the
canal.
With the right Of eminent domain, the Uni
TED States, OF course, has power TO make what
ever provisions she may deem necessary for
the defence aud protsction of the canal. There
fore she can build forts and make whatever
provisions for defence the exigencies may de-
mand, but she undertakes not to employ or use
any OF these or her armed forces against the
Central American States friendly to Nicara-
qua, save, OF course, for the protection of her
own property.
There shall be no discrimination against
Nicaragua in canal tols. The only benefit
which Nicaragua obtains in return for theee
concessions to the United States is the develop
ment OF her natural resources and her share OF
the canal tolls. These advantages will un.
donbtedly be considerable.
There is also to be reciprocity in the trade
between the two couDtre, and in all respects
the commerce of the two nations is to be- on an
equal footing. Nicaragua is at all times to
assist in maintaining the security OF the canal
and engages to the utmost of her ability to
protect the same. Regulations relating to the
boundaries Of Costa Rica, where the lands
granted by Nicaragua to the United States
touch the territory of the former State, will
have to be made in treaty with the govern
ment of that country.
Treaties have been concluded between the
United States and Guatemala, Costa Rica and
the United States of Colombia, and some of
the provisions in the convention with Costa
Rica may relate to boundaries