Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-27
NlCARAQUA'S BIG CANAL.
A NEW ORLEANS PAPER GROWS
ENTHUSIASTIC OVER 1T.

Magnificent Chances for American Ag-
grandizement Pictnred-EngIand Civ
ing Evidence of Her Opposition to the
Scheme and Raising the Cry of Inter
national Rights.
NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 26 -To-day's Picag1sne,
in a dOuble-leaded editorial leader, speaking
of the American policy and the Nicaraguan
treaty, says: 1.-The country is ripe for an en-
tirely new departure, one that is worthy our
great nation and one that will stamp itself
upon the whole history of North America. We
must adopt the policy of acquisition of
territorial aggrandlZement to the sout Inward.
1t need not necessarily be accomplished by
armed invasion or inaugurated in blood. The
Nlcaraguan treaty is the opening wedge Let
US drive that home, and, by investing $780,
100000 in ship canal there, secure the cOun-
try. American enterprise will soon annex
the whole of Central America from that base
aine." 1t concludes: sectional Ediscord has
happily ceased, and the South is primarily
and deeply interested in turning the tendency
Of enterprise and the march of empire south
ward, and her statesmen, by at once cham
pioning bold and brilliant policy in that
direction, will open new era for the entire
country ana map out safe and short road to
prosperity and continued national growth,
insure tranquility at home and add to the
glory Of our great republic"
THE BIG APPROPRIATION,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-At the last session
VI OOuEItSS tue SENATE Appropriation Com
mlttee inserted in the consular and diplO-
matte bill an appropriation of $250,OGO TO be
used as sort OF secret service fund by the
State Department. This item was discussed
and concurred in by the Senate in secret ses-
sion. After a long disagreement between the
two houses, and persistent refusal on the
part of the House conferees to consent to the
appropriation, the Senate withdrew its
amendment and the appropriation was made.
A statement has been printed within few
days and has been widely copied to the effect
that neither the Secretary of State nor the
PRESIDENT asked for or desired the appropria-
ton In question. This statement has caused
much surprise here, as it appears incredible
that the Senate would have consented to in
sert so large an amount in the consular and
diplomatic bill to be used in q secret manner
by the State Department unless that depart
ment, through It's Secretary, had asked for it
and urged 1T. Inquiry made O-day has dis
closed the fact that Secretary Frelinghuysen
lmpOrtuned the committees of Congress and
individual members to make the approprIa-
tlon. He appeared in person before the com
mlttees and subcommittee and made argu-
ments in its favor. There has been great
deal OF speculation as to what use SO large a
sum was to be put to by the State Department.
FOR NICARAGUAN USES.
1t has been ascertained from the best sources
tnat the money was wanted to influence the
Nlcaraguan Government In obtaining there
from canai concessions, ana at the same time
ne urged tnat "a good round sum" be paid 10
the Nlcaraguan canal Company in which
Messrs. MenocaI, Grant. PheIDs and others
were interested, the money to be paid in order.
TO get rid OF their claim to a canal ces-
sion made to the company by the Nicaraguan
government. The entire performance smack
ed so strongly of jObbery that Senators and
representatives who are aware of the facts
are holding aIoof from the Nicaraguan treaty
because they suspect that several large
sized jobs are embraced in it and be-
cause they believe that the mOverlan party
who held the old canal concession, and also
the omcers of the Nicaraguan government
have been taken care OF by the terms of the
treaty. A prominent member of the House,
VINO IS In favor of having the United States
control an lsthmlan waterway, and who is
thoroughly informed regarding the remarka-
ble conduct of the state Department at the
last session, said tonight that in his ODinion
it would be well for C0ngressmen and the Deo-
pie to await developments and to be extreme
ly careful before committing themselves IN ia
VOf OF the pending treaty. 1t was of vital i'm
porlance tnat anything like jobbery should be
excluded from 80 vast an undertaking.
LONDON, Dec. 26.-The Times in an ar
tlcle on the Nicaragua treaty, readily
admits that the treaty should be Judged
in America without reference to Eng
Ilsh interests; but England, it SAYS,
holds position of almost impregnable
strength, and will protest against a policy
Whlch violates the rights covered by the
Clayton Bulwer treaty. 1t believes that the
better class of Americans will not favor the
scheme, but thinks it rash to predict the re-
suit IN Congress. 1t is possible, the Times
says. 10 construct and manage the canal in
accordance with the Clayton Bulwer treaty,
Whlle giving America ample security through
pecunlary or other interest in the work but
% t%neI II Is uouDt1ul whether plan could be
made pleasing to the American people. 1t 8
England's duty, the Times declares, to pre-
serve Tue freedom of intern atiOnal trade