The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-01-07
THE NICARAGUA CANAL
A SCHEME TO HAVE 1T BUILT BY
THE UNITED STATES.


The Treaty of Six Years Ago Bound
This Country and Nicaragua to Build
the Waterway, Operate It and Divide
the Profits-Its Value to Our Naval
Operations.
WARRINGTON, Jan. 6.-The complications
between Nicaragua and Costa Rica grow
ing out Of the boundary dispute affecting
the Nicaragua Canal Company's concession
we're discussed again to-day by the Senate
In secret session, and |he committee on for
eign relations was instructed ito inquire into
what steps have been taken under the act Of
congress entitled An act to incorporate the
Maritime Canal Company of Nicaragua
approved Feb. 20. 1889, and what are the
present conditions and prospects OF the
enterprise. and consider and report what.
in its opinion, the interests of the United
States may require in respect to that inter-
oceanic communication"
THE TREATY OF 1884
The Senate also made public the treaty
signed Dec. /, 1884, between the United
states and the republic OF Nicaragua, pro-
viding for the construction Of an inter-
oceanic canal across the territory Of thah
republic The letter of transmsttal was
signed by President Arthur, aud is a strong
argument In demonstration Of the necessity
for canal from political and commercial
reasons. The startling information Is con-
tanned that this treaty tof the ratification of
which there is no evidence) bound the
United States and Nicaragua Co build the
canal.
NEED FOR THE CANAL.
In his message, President Arthur sayss
Mo- NfatfF - =
upon under a conviction that it was imper~
attvely demanded by the present and future
political and material interests OF the
United States. The establishment OF water
communication between the Atlantic
and Pacific coasts of the union
is necessity, the accomplishment Of
which, however, within the territory OF tho
United States is a physical impossibility.
While the enterprise OF our ciuizens has re-
sponded to tie duty Of creating a means Of
speedy transit by ratl between the two
oceans these great achievements are made
quate TO supply most important requisite
OF national union and prosperity. y 2
may add that the canal can be constructed
by the able engineer corps Of our army
under their thorough system, cheaper and
better than any work of such magnitude
can In any other way be built"
ARTICLES OF THE TREATY.
The treaty itself is made up Of twenty.
five articles. The first and second articles
read:
ARTICLE I. The canal shall DO built by the
United States OF America, and owned by them
and the republic OF Nicaragua and managed as
hereinafter provided.
ARTICLE g There shall be perpetual alliance
between the United States of America and the
republic OF Nicaragua, and the former agrees to
iaitsf ' y 'D' ''''''''S u 'H'
The other articles provide, In brief; that
the canal shall be Of the largest class OF ship
canals; that the United States shall have
the free use OF Lake Nicaragua; that the
United States shall pay for the private
lands used; that strip of land o116 miles
wide shall be set apart for the work, and
owned by the two contracting parties; THAI
no custom house charges shall
be imposed by Nicaragua upon vessels pass
lug through the canal, and that Nicaragua
shall protect the canal employees
OUR OBLIGATIONS.
In return the United States agrees to-
furnish the money and build the canal,
railway and telegraph lines and equipments;
that it shall have exclusive control of the
canal construction and that the canal shall
be managed by joint board; that the
profits from tolls are to go one-third to
Nicaragua aud two-thirds to the United
States; that the United States disavows any
intention to impair the Independence OF
Nicaragua or her sister republics:
that the canal shall be commenced in two
Years and completed in teD years; that the
United States shall aid by its good oflicas,
IL desired, in securing a union of the five
Central Amerioin republics, and that the
United States shall lend Nicarauga $4,O00,-
600 to make internal improvements, TO be .
lien on the canal