Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-24

resulted in the discovery of insuperable
obstacles to the building of profitable
inter-oceanic canal. The proposed
treaty provides for such canal through
the friendly territory of Nicaragua. BE
invites special attention to the pro-
visions of the treaty itself as best show
ing its scope, and continues as follows:
From respect to the independent sovereignty
of the republic, through whose cooperation the
project alone can be realized, the stpulations Of
the treaty look to the fullest recognition and pro-
lection of Nicaraguan rights In the premises me
United States have no motive or desire LOT terrl-
torlal acquisition or political control beyond
their present borders, and none such are contem-
plated by their treaty. The two governments
unite in framing this scheme as the sole means
by which work as indispensable to one az to the
other may be accomplished under such c1rcum-
stances as to prevent the possibility OF connlct
between them and of interference from without.
The canal shall be primarily domestic means
of water communication between Auanuc anu
Pacific shores of the two countries which unite
for its construction one contributing the terri,
tory and the other furnishing the money. Rec
ognizing the advantages which the World COM
merce must derive from the work, approaching
the benefits of an enlarged use to the cahal iseiT
by contributing to its maintenance and by y1eld,
ing an interest return on the capital lnves 1s
therein and inspired by which BELIEF e
sures to the general benefit OF the world is IN
some sort trust for the common advancement
of mankind the two governments nave By thlS
treaty provided for its possible use by all nations
on equal terms while reserving to the coastlng
trade of both countries lin which non put the
contracting parties are Interested tne Prlvliege
favoring tolls The terms of the treaty SIS TO the
protection of the canal, while they scrupulously
confirm sovereignty of Nicaragua, amply secure
that state and the work itself from possible con
tngencies of the future which may not be within
the power Of Nicaragua to meet. From purely
commercial point of view the completion of such
waterway opens most favorable prospect for
finn fJ1fIl Of
Pacific coast of South America will, by its means,
be brought into closer connection with the Gulf
States. The relation of those American coun-
tries to the United States is that of natural mar
ket from which the want of direct communlca-
ton hitherto practically excluded us. By pierre
g fSe of Sea- apd distance
and our vessels and production will enter upon
the worlds competitive field with decided ad-
vantage, of which they will avail themselves
When to this is joined large coasting trade be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific states which must
necessarily spring up, 1t is evident that TINS
canal affords even alone an eficiept means of re-
storing our flag to its former place on
the sea. Such domestic coasting trade would
arise Immediately, for even fishing vessels of both
seaboards which now lie idle in winter months
could then proftably carry goods between the
Eastern and Western states. The political effect
of the canal will be to unite closer the states now
depending upon railway corporations 1or All
commercial and personal intercourse, and not
only cheaper the cost of transportation, but
will free individuals from the possibility of IN
grain markets of demand within easy distance of
our Pacific coast and will give to manufacturers
on the Atlantic saeboard economical access to
the cities of China, thus breaking down the barri
cades which separate the principal manufactur-
ing centers of the United States from the markets
of the vast population of Asia, and plaac-
ing the Eastern states of the Union for
all purposes of trade, midway between Europe
and Asia. In point of time the gain for sailing
vessels would be great, amounting from New
York to San Francisco to saving of fifteen days;
to Hong Kong of twenty-Seven days; to Shanghai
OF thirty Jour days; TO Callao of ffty-two days.
Lake Nicaragua is ninety miles long and forty
miles at its greatest width. The water is
fresh and affords abundant depth for
vessels of the deepest draught. Several
of coal stations, supply depots, harbors and
| places for repairs. The advantage of this vast
inland harbor is evident. 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 Atlantic side but five locks, or
four intermediate levels. are proposed. Seventy
two miles of the canal lie between the Pacific
Ocean and the lake. The distance across the
lake is 63 miles From the mouth ofthe San Carlos
(where the canal will leave San Juan), to the har-
Dor of Greytown the distance is thirty miles,
which it is hoped will by new surveys.be short
ened ten miles. The total canal excavation
would thus be from fortythree and half to fifty
three and half miles, and the lake and river
navigation amounting to 119 miles by the pres
ent survey, would be somewhat increased if the
new surveys are successful From New York 10
San Francisco by this route, for sailing vessels the
time is ten days shorter than by the Panama
route.
The President then refers briefly to
the pecuniary prospects of the canal.
and then adds:
| might suggest many other considerations in
| detail. but it seems unnecessary to do so
| Enough has been said to more than justify the
pr =ctical utility of the measure therefore com
| nit it to Congress in confident expectation that
| il will receive approval and that by appropriate
| legislation means may be provided for inaugu-
rating the work without delay after the treaty
| shall be ratified.