Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1894-05-10
THE NICARAGUA CANAL,

THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
Two articles in the May number OF the
Overland Monthly are of special interest
to the Pacific Northwest. Both have for
their subject the Nicaragua canal; one
by Lieut.. Frank l.. VIM, Of the United
States army upon it's military advantages
the other by William L. Merry, Consul
General for Nicaragua, upon its political
aspects. The former reviews the various
attempts that have been made for the
accomplishment Of this object, and makes
comparison with other great works Of this
character. From Greytown on the At
lantic side to Brito OH the Pacific the
distance is 1897 miles, and the route
seems to have been designed by nature
for such purpose. Its military advant-
ages are shown by noting the time and
expense saved in transporting naval
forces, the distance is reduced from
ID, 800 miles to 5000, and the cost of
moving warships for coal alone is re-
ducsd from 100000 to $4,000 for each
vessel. Lieut.. VIM says:
With the strongest Notifications at
Brito and Greytown and complete naval
and coaling station on lake Nicaragua,
the headquarters always OF our most
considerable fleet, this nation would easily
become invincibe on the American con-
tinent. and superior to any in the world.
On the contrary canal held or con-
trolled by any other power would to a
considerable extent weaken the power OF
the United States, and render complete
protection Of the Pacific coast as necessary
as that OF the Atlantic.
The second article gives concise state.
ment of the treaties which bear upon the
political aspect. The Clayton-Bulwer
treaty, promulgated April 10th, 1850, pro-
vided in reference to canal connecting
the two oceans that neither the United
States or Great Britain should ever MAIN
tain any exclusive control over said ship
canal, nor erect or maintain any fortifica-
tons commanding the same. During the
closing months OF President Arthur's
term the Zavalla- Frelinghuysen treaty
was negotiated, had been ratified by the
senate Of Nicaragua, and was before that
of the United States when Mr.. Cleveland
was first inaugurated. This treaty pro-
vided for its construction and control by
the government, as we'll as the pledge to
uphold the Nicarauguan government;
was in vioition OF the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty, which was still in force, and was
therefore Withdrawn by Mr.. Cleveland.
who advised an American corporation
under the strict control of the United
States government, and in accordance
with this view the Maratime Canal Co.
was organized and chartered by the gov
eminent. In its concessions to the Mari
time Canal Co. the Nicarauguan govern
ment has clause providing that the con-
cession must not be transferred to any
government.
1t will thus be seen that the canal must
be built and controlled by corporation
unless the Clayton-Bulwer treaty be alb
rogated and new one made with Mica
ragua. To meet these conditions Senator
Morgan has introduced bill in this con-
gress providing for it's construction direct
ly by the Maritime company under the
supervision of the United States engin-
GERS. This latter provision for construc-
ton will insure that the governments
hundred million dollars will not be
squandered, and ought, with the other
safeguards incorporated, secure the pas
sage of the measure.
Great as are the military and political
Importance Of the canal, its commercial
overshadows them both. While it is true
the benefit to the Pacific coast would be
proportionately greater than to the At
lantic, yet the actual benefit to the latter
would be even greater than to the former,
and it therefore behooves every man from
the Atlantic to the Pacific to use his in
fluence for the completion of this great
work. The political party that is respons-
ible for its construction will win lasting
fame.