National Republican., 1888-03-25
THE PRESIDENTS DECISION
As Arbitrator Between Costa Rica and
Nicaragua.

Nicaragua.
President Cleveland, who was chosen ar
bitrator in the disputed question between
Costa Rica and Nicaragua in regard to the
validity of their limits Of April 10, 1853
Yesterday announced the conclusion reached
by him and made the following decision and
award
First The aforementioned treaty of limits
signed on the 18th day of April, 1858, Is valid.
second. The republic of Costa Rica under
said treaty and the stipulations contained in
the sixth article thereof has not the right of
navigation of the river San Juan with vessels
OF var ogf shs M pRsy navigate y SGG ySr WIN b
related To and connected with her enjoyment
Oi the purposes Of commerce" accorded TO
her in said article, or as may be necessary TO
the protection of said enjoyment.
Third with respect to the points of doubtful
Interpretation communicated, as afOrcsald, by
the republic of Nicaragua, decide as follows:
!. The boundary line between the republics
of Costa Rca and Nicaragua, on the Atlantic
side, begins at the extremity of Punta de Gas.
tilla, at the mouth Of the san Juan dc Mica
day Of April. 1853. The ownership of any ac-
erection to said Funta de Castillo Is to be gov
erned by the laws applicable TO that subject,
.. The central point of the Salinas bay is to
be fixed by drawing straight line across the
mouth of the bay and determining mathcnat.
ically the center of the closed geomctrical
0gUfc lOlfnpu DN SUCH straight llnp ana the
shore of the bay at low.water mark
3. BY the central point of Salblas bay Is 10
be understood the center Of the geOmetrlcal
figure formed as above stated. The limit Of
the bay toward the ocean is u straight line
drawn from the extremity Of Punta Arranca
Rarba, nearly true south TO the westernmost
portion of the land about Punta Sacate.
T. The republic of Costa Rica Is not bound
TO concur with the republic Of Nicaragua in
the expenses necessary to prevent the Bay of
San Juan del Norte from being obstructed, TO
keep the navigation of the river or port free
and unembarrassod, or TO improve It for the
5. The republic of Costa Rica is not bound
hat II may bs %"S % Ss sp Sf bS 81 N
aragua for any of the purposes above men
toned.
0. The republic of Costa Rica cannot pre-
vent the republic of Nicaragua from execut
ing al her own expense and within her own
territory such work of Improvement: Pro
vlded, such works of Improvement do not re.
suit IN the occupation or foOding or damage
of Costa Rica territory, or in, the destruction
or serious Impairment of the navigation OF
the said river or any Of It's branches m any
The same. The republic of Costa Rica has the
right to demand indemniiication for any
places belonging TO her on the right bank of
the river san Juan which may be occupied
without her consent; and for any lands on the
same bank which may be flooded or damaged
in any other way In consequence Of works OF
Improvement.
g. ",
known as the Colorado river, must not he
considered as the boundary between the re-
publics of Costa Rica and Nicaragua in any
part OF its course.
g. The right of the republic of Costa lica TO
the navigation of the river san Juan with
men'oi.war or revenue cutters Is determined
and defined In the second article of this award.
g. The republic of Costa Rica can deny to the
republic of Nicaragua the right Of dcviating
the waters of the rlter san Juan, In case such
deviation will result IN the destruction or Sc.
0t.
said river, or any of its branches, Mt any point
where Costa Rica is entitled to navigate the
same.
TO- The republic of Nicaragua remains bound
not 10. make any grants for canal purposes
across her territory without asking the opin.
ion o, the republic of Costa Rica, as provided
IN article Of the treaty of limits OF the 18th
day Of April, 1858. The natural rights of the
republic of Costa Rica, alluded to in the said
stipulation, are the rights which, In view of the
boundaries fixed by the said treaty Of limits
she possesses in the soil thereby recognized as
belonging exclusively to her; the rights which
she possesses in the harbOrs of san Juan del
Norte and Salinas bay, and the rights which
she Possesses in so much of the river San Juan
as lies more than three English miles below
Castillo Niejo, measuring from the exterior
fortiiications Of the said castle as the
same existed in the year 1858; and perhaps
nther rights not here particularly specified
These rights are TO be deemed injured IN any
case where the territory belonging to the re.
public Of Costa Rica is occupied or iiooded;
of the said haIbors injurious 10 Costa Rica, or
where there is such an obstruction or dcvia
tion Of the river San Juan as to destroy or
seriously impair the navigation of the said
river orany of its branches at any point where
H., The treaty of limits of the 18th day Of
April, 1858, does not give to the republic of
Costa Ilca the right to be party to grants
which Nicaragua may make FOR interoceanc
canals; though in cases where the construc-
tion Of the canal will involve AN injury to the
natural rights Of Costa Rica, her opinion or
advice, as mentioned In article of the treaty,
tative." II would seem In such cases that
her consent Is necessary, and that she may
thcrenpon demand compensation for the con
entitled as a right to share in the profits that
the republic of Nicaragua may reserve for
herself * N a. ipn fnp fn "a M