The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1890-05-22
Secretary Blaine, Urges the APP.
preparation for a Prelim-
mary Survey.
President Harrison Heartily
Seconds the Scheme-Some
oeIts Advantages.
Joe Manley Says Blaine Would Like
to Be Senator Again-Matters
in Washington.

"
hitting the proposition adopted by the
Pan American congress for an inter-
colonial railway. The letter of the sec
rotary is as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, D. G. May IL, 1890.
To the President:
have the honor to submit herewith a
plan for preliminary survey for rail-
way line to connect the great CONNER
cial cities of the American hemisphere.
No more important recommendation has
come from the International American
conference, and 1 earnestly commend it
to your attention, with full confidence
that prompt action will be taken by con-
gress to enable this government to par
ticipate in the promotion of the enter
prise. The resolutions of the conference
are accompanied by special reports con-
corning the transportation facilities that
republics. These reports comprise all
the information that could be gathered
upon this important subject, and will be
found both interesting and authentic.
Under the generous and progressive
policy of President Diaz, the railways of
Mexico have been extended southwark,
as well as northward, and toward the
oceans. The development of the Argen-
tine syetem has been equally rapid.
Lines of track now reach from Buenos
Ayres to the northern cities of that re-
public, and nearly to the Bolivian boun-
Diary. Chilli has a profitable system of
railroads from the mountains to- the Pa
cifc ocean, and the completion of the
tunnel that is now being pierced through
the Cordilleras will bring Valparaiso
within two days travel of Buenos
Ayres. In the other republics similar
enterprise has been shown. Each has its
local lines of railways and to connect
them all and furnish the people of the
Southern continent the means of con-
venient and comfortable intercourse
with their neighbors north of the 18TH
mus is an undertaking worthy the en-
enlargement and cooperation of this
government. In no other way could the
government and the people of the United
States contribute so much to the devel-
opment and prosperity of our sister re-
publics, and at the same time to the ex-
pansion of our own commerce.
A very important feature of the report
to which [ especially direct your atten-
ton, will be found in the international
declaration that the line of the proposed
railway shall be forever neutral terri
tory; that the material necessary for the
construction and operation of the road
shall be admitted free of customs dues;
and that its property and revenue shall
be always exempt from all forms of tax
alton. This guarantee having all the
force of treaty will stimulate private
and public confidence, and then lead to
the investment of capital that might
otherwise be reluctant and distrustful.
It is proposed that survey to ascer-
tain the best and most economical routes
be made under the direction of an inter-
national commission, and that the ex-
pense be shared by the several nations
of the hemisphere, in proportion to their
respective populations. The share of
the United States is estimated to be $685.
900, and would respectfully suggest
the propriety of securing from congress
an appropriation for that purpose.
The headquarters of the commission
by vote Of the international conference
will be located in Washington, and it is
proposed to invite the commissioners to
meet here on the LIST of October next, or
as soon thereafter as practicable, for the
purpose of organization, and initiating
the work of the survey. Respectfully
submitted, JAMES G. BLAINE,
Secretary of State.
In his letter of transmission, the presi-
dent says:
Public attention has been chiefly at
tracted to the subject of improved water
communication between the ports of the
United States and those of Central and
South America. The creation of new
and improved steamship lines undoubt-
eddy furnish the readiest means of de-
Yeloping an increased trade with the
Latin American nations. But it should
not be forgotten that it is possible to
travel by land from Washington to the
southermost capital of South America,
and that the opening Of railroad comm1l-
nication with these friendly states will
give to them and to us facilities for in
tercourse and the exchange of trade that
are of special value. The work contem-
biatsdis vast but entirely practicable.
It will be interesting to all and perhaps
a surprise to most Of Ts to note how
much has already been done in the way
of railroad construction in Mexico and
South America that can be utilized as a
part of an intereontinentai linS, I do
not hesitate to recommend that congress
make very moderate appropriation for
surveys suggested by the conference and
authorize the appointment of commits
sioners and the detail of engineer officers
| to direct and conduct the necessary pre-
| liminary surveys.