Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-29

Many years will doubtless elapse before the
boundaries of this republic will extend TO tine
north and south poles, but there are signs Of
territorial extension that statesmen will not
overlook James G.. Blaine, than whom no one
was clearer visioned, was fully convinced that
before the twentieth century had reached its
majority Canada and Mexico would be added to
the Union, and that following these annexations
must come the speedy absorption of the
tionalities north of the Isthmus of Panama.
There is possibility of immediate action tend
ing to the encouragement of such absorption long
before the Canadian provinces or the Mexican
republic are united with US, for in troubled
Nicaragua there is a loudly expressed desire for
the establishments Of protectorate by the
United States. DIR. Guzman. the Nicaraguan
minister to this country, is quoted as favoring
such n move. and he will have the support of
many progressive Nicaraguans vino are tired Of
the riotous proceedings which continually dis
turb one or another of the Central American
countries They believe that the presence of
strong government in their midst would put an
effectual stop to petty warfare, and they are
probably quite correct. The republic of
Nicaragua, with an area of 40, 500 square miles.
is the largest of the Central American states
Its population exceeds 325, 900, Of which 10000
are uncivilized Indians. Nearly all the people
are Roman Catholics and many are well edu-
Gated. The revenues are about 1000 900 and
the expenditures have generally exceeded the
inconle. the result being a foreign debt of
something more than 81 .U00. 900 and domestic
membranes to the extent of : $780,
900, increased considerably by the strife
which still RACES The products OF the
country are many and valuable. The Bu-
reau Of American Republics says that in the
regions Of the southwest coffee is grown in
large quantities. the production of 1891 amount
ing to 9.2s2, l56 pounds. Brazil wood is found
in abundance in the forests; plantations of
sugar. indigo and cacao abound everywhere be-
tween the lakes and the Pacific; potatoes and
maize thrive in the uplands, while on the east
ern side of the lakes is great grazing country,
supporting thousands Of cattle. Dense forests,
rich in rubber, cedar. mahogany and dye
woods, are common, while all the country over
there is abundance of plantains, bananas and
other tropical fruits. Mining and cattle raising
are perhaps the two principal industries. There
is but one line of railway in operation, but
others are in course of construction.
The principal cities are united by tele-
graph and the telephone is in COM
mon use Imports IN 1889 amounted
to nearly three millions Of dollars,
the larger proportion being supplied by Great
Britain. The Nicaraguan application for shelter
il vet rather vague in its terms and until it
becomes positive will hardly receive much at
tention. but continued disorder and the posi-
bility Of danger to the canal in which so large
an amount of American capital has been in
vested may be potent in the near future. Moth
ing less than a necessity for protecting life and
valuable property and possible national interests
In connection with water communication be-
tween the Atlantic and Pacific will cause the
United States TO practically annex a country
which is separated from us by so much terri
tory "a lies between the Rio Grande and the
northern limits of Nicaragua.