Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-22
The Nicaraguan Treaty.

1pDgEssSs
The NIcaraguan Treaty.
The text Of the proposed treaty between
the United States and Nicaragua has
been published in full. 1t provides that 81
canal shall be built by the United States,
Nicaragua furnishing free of cost the
right Of way across her territory, and the
United States TO bear the expense Of con-
structing the work. The canal is to fol-
low the most eligible route that can be
selected from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
The route has already been surveyed and
resurvey is just commencing, The total
length IL about ll5 miles. but Lake Mic
aragua and its tributaries cover ll9
miles of the distance, so that the distance
to be- excayed is 26 miles. It IL calculated
that eleven locks will be required. six on
the Pacific side of the lake and five on
the Atlantic side. The cost is estimated
at about $50. 900, 900. The work is to be
completed in ten years and be a complete
ship canal 1t is thought that five years
will be sufficient time in which to finish
the undertaking.
When ready for use the canal is to be
under the immediate control of a board Of
six managers, three appointed by the
president OF each country But the COM
merce of all the world is to be permitted
TO use the canal, subject to no duties what
ever on the goods carried, on payment of
n certain toll, which shall be the same on
the vessels of all nations. except that
q discrimination may be made in
favor of the coasters of Nicaragua and
the United States The United States is to
acquire no sovereignty whatever. though
to avoid any interference from local au-
thorties along the canal a strip two and q
half miles wide-a mile and a quarter on
either side of the canals to be under the
joint management of Nicaragua and the
United States. but the inhabitants will be
as now. under the sovereignty of Nicars-
qua OF the net profits from tolls. the
United States is to have two-thrds and
Nicaragua one,third
The advantage of the canal to COM
merce will be immense. In point of
time the gain for sailing vessels will
amount from New York to San Francisco,
to a saving of seventy five days; to Hong
Kong of twenty seven days; to Shanghai
of thirty-four days; and to Callao of fifty.
two days 1t must become the inter-oce-
anic highway for the bulk of the worlds
trade between the Atlantic and Pacific.
From New York to San Francisco by this
route, for sailing vessels, the time is ten
days shorter than by the proposed Panama
route
The treaty is undergoing careful scruti-
ny and thorough discussion in the leading
papers of this and other countries. The
pecuniary responsibility which the United
States will incur If the treaty is ratified is
one that will render our Legislators eau
tious in regard to ratification. But beside
this is the question as to whether the
treaty conflicts with the Clayton Bulwer
treaty, If it does remonstrance and OPP
position may be expected to it from Great
Britain, leading possibly to war between
the two governments. Mr.. Blaine. while
Secretary OF State. discussed the Clayton
Bulwer treaty in communication to Min
lister Lowell. in which he showed that the
two governments had always been at va
rance rs to its meaning, that it was
MISUNDERSTANDING entered into. imper-
fectly comprehended. contradictorily inter.
preted aud materially vexstious," Other
authorities take the ground that it has
been ahrogated by the course of Great
Britain in former instances aud is null and
void At any rate this old treaty must be
considered very thoughtfully before step.
are taken 10 ratify the Nicaraguan treaty
OF course Secretary Frelinghuysen has
not gone forward with the treaty and
brought 1t to the door of the Senate with.
out the most careful elaboration concern,
ing its relation to the Clayton-Bulwe
treaty. but there is no doubt that Grea
Britain will protest and object in SO inn
portant a matter If she can end pretex'
on which to base the shadow of an argu
ment.