The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-19
The Nicaraguan Government to Furnish the
Land and the United States the Money
to Construct the Great Work
The Right to Make FayOring Tolls for
C0astWise Trade Reserved.
Message of the President Transmitting the
Document to the Senate-A Strong
Argument for Its Ratification.
PROVISIONS OF THE TREATY.
The Conditions Under Which the Canal Is To
Be Constructed.


NEW YORK, Dec. 19-The Tribune this morn
ing publishes the Nicaragua treaty, with Presi
dent Arthur's message to the Senate in regard
to it. The treaty provides for the construction,
maintenance and control of an interoceanic
canal across the territory of Nicaragua. 1t is to
be a government and not corporation enter
prise. The United States government will fur
nisb the capital required for constructing the
canal and both governments will own and con-
troll the waterway. The United States will
have full power to select the route and entrance
to the works, and to arrange the practical details
of construction. the establishment of railway
and telegraph lines and the location of all neces
sorry engineering works. AT the same time the
United States will assume the responsibility of
defending the territory through which the canal
passes.
Article provides that there shall be per-
| petual alliance between the United States of
America and the republic of Nicaragua, and
the former agree to protect the integrity Of the
territory of the latter The canal to be con
structed will admit vessels of the largest size
commonly used in commerce For the purpose
of carrying out the treaty, Nicaragua agrees to
| give the United States the free use of Lake
Nicaragua, and to furnish, free of cost,
all grounds necessary for the construction,
maintenance and use of the canal and for its
future enlargement wherever located or required
| for the use or business of the canal, including
railway from one terminus 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 the telegraph
line, should the United States decide to construct
either said railway telegraph line, or both,
which shall be regarded, for all purposes Of this
treaty, as part of the canal so long as they are
maintained.
Article says the work shall be declared one
of public utility, and for the purposes of building
and operating the canal, railway and telegraph
line, the republic of Nicaragua, undertakes to
appropriate lands belonging to individuals. Any
private property or real estate actually held by
individuals or corporations, which shall be taken
or used by the United States for construction of
the canal or its accessories, or for their main
tenance, shall be so taken upon condemnation
and appraisement of the value of such property.
The government of the United States will pay
the owners thereof the value fixed by commits
sion Of assessors comprising three members, one of
whom shall be appointed by the President of the
United States, one by the President of Nicaragua,
the third to be chosen by these two jointly. The
United States, or the board of managers here
after provided for, as the case may be- shall
have the right to take from the public lands of
Nicaragua any materials whatever needed for
the construction, preservation, maintenance
and use of the canal and of its ports, depend
encies, accessories and equipments. When ma
terials are taken from private lands, the United
States or said board of managers shall enjoy in
their use all rights that the republic of Near
aqua enjoys by law and usage.
Article Z sets aside strip of land two and
half miles in width the middle of which comedies
with the middle line of the canal, and where the
railroad must of necessity pass outside this
strip another strip of quarter of mile, on
each side of the railroad line. is also set aside.
Article provides that no customs tolls
or other taxes of any kind shall be LEVIED by
Nicaragua upon any vessel passing through the
canal, it being agreed that vessels, their cargoes
passengers, baggage, and crew shall pass
through the canal free of any charge other than
that imposed upon them by the two owners of
the work. Nicaragua can provide police force to
prevent smuggling, the cost of which shall be
paid by the canal Merchandise loaded or I'M
loaded in any part of the canal or its accessories
coming from or destined to Nicaragua, and in
tended for sale, shall pay dues for expectation
and importation. which shall be fixed by the
revenue laws of Nicaragua.
Article II provides that all articles neces-
sary for construction or repair of the canal or
any of its accessories shall be imported free Of
duty or tax Of any kind
Article 10 provides that for and in con
sideration Of the preceding articles the United
States of America agree to furnish the money to
build said canal and its accessories, including, if
found advisable. said railway aud telegraph
lines, together with all docks, locks machine
shops, annexes, machinery, feeders, etc. it
being the intent of this agreement that the
United States of America shall build and com
plete the canal and everything appertanng
thereto, for safe and speedy passage of vessels
herenbefore described, and for through Ecom-
municaton between ocean and ocean, and such
loading and repairing as may be necessary, at
their sole cost and without expense to the gov
eminent of Nicaragua.
Article IA provides that the United States
shall have exclusive control of the construction
of the canal, railway and telegraph line, if the
same be built, and shall DO invested with all
rights and powers necessary thereto The man
agement, care and protection of the canal and its
accessories if built under the general supervs-
ion of the two governments shall be intrusted
to board of managers, which shall consist of
six members, three appointed by the President
of the United States and three by the republic
of Nicaragua; this board, which shall be desig-
mated as the canal is ready for traffic,
shall detarmine questions by q majority vote: