The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-10-12
STRONG PROTEST
WILL Be ENTERED
Against Nicaragua's Concession to the
Atlas Steamship Company.
A COPY IN WASHINGTON
The State DepsrtnsSt will Demand It's
Prompt Abrogstion as contrary to the
Rights Of the Canal Company.

New York. October li.-A special TO
tho Herald from Washington says:
Another diplomatic controversy between
the United States ana Nicaragua Is i'm
pending as result Of the action Of Mic
anagua IN granting concession 10 az
English corporation which It Is believed
conflicts with that given to the Maritime
Canal co. Fearing injury TO the rights
Of the American corporation the state de-
partment recently cabled 20 Minister
Baker at Managua directing him TO ex-
anime the concession and in case II con-
nlcts with that OF the canal company
10 enter a strong protest. The result OF
Mr.. Bakers examination IL not known TO
the department, which Is awaiting with
some eagerness the receipt Of a copy OF
the CONCESSION. A copy has reached Wash
lngton. however. and Is in the possession
OF your correspondent. THE most lmpc--
tant feature OF the contract between the
English corporation known as the Atlas
Steamship company. limited. and the Mic
araguan government. next to that which
conters exclusive navigation rights upon
the company. IS that which dlsciaims
any intention to conflict with the canal
concession.
This concession" the contract reads
will not be an obstacle In the way OF
contracts with the government relative
20 the opening OF the lnteroceanic canal
along the same hne nor will 1t affect the
contract for the same which has been
made"
This provision OF the contrac; seems
TO be singular when compared with the
concession awarded 20 the canal COM
pany. The first paragraph OF the contract
reads:
Manuel Corronel Maius. minister Of
public instruction, temporarily in charge
OF the Office OF public works. representing
the government OF the state. and Louis
Wichmann. representing the Atlas
Steamship Company, limited. according
to teh authority given him. have ar
ranged the following contract with the
idea Of developing the steam navigation
Of Lake Nicaragua, and the river San
Juan del Norte. which each day becomes
less navigable. and to facilitate communi-
cation 20 the Atlantic on which great
interests depend and with the expecta-
tiun OF developing the commerce and agri-
culture and thus improving the situation
OF the country"
In consideration OF the great expenses
to which the company will be subjected.
the government gives 1t tho exclusive
right Of steam navigation in the siilco
lagoon for 20 years from the final ap-
proval Of this contract and the exclusive
right for the same time Of construction
Of tramways and railroads along the line
! and at the best places to avoid obstacles
on thu river San Juan"
Apparently this section conflicts with
Canal Co, which provides that "the com
| pany shall have the right to construct
and operate a railroad along the whole
extent Of the canal or the parts OF the
same that may be considered convenient
for the better service and opera ton of
the said work. The state binds itself to
abstain from granting a concession to a
railroad such as might compete with the
canal for the transportation of mer-
chandise."
! The contract gives the Atlas company
the right to appropriate the lands OF
private parties which are required for
/ the right of way. The company is obliged
! TO make with its steamers at least three
/ trips a month between Granada and San
/ Juan del Norte and vice versa. and to
touch at least once month ait all the
/ inhabited ports OF the lake. The pas
senger and freight rates will be in the
money OF the country. In case OF war
The steamers Of the company may be used
by tho government The company is
obliged when requested to do so. to begin
work on all parts of hte San Juan so
that navigation can be carried on the
entire year without interruption. The
government agrees to pay the company
5000 silver for each mile OF railroad con-
structed between Colorado Junction and
Silico lagoon, thus making rapid trans
portation to the port Of San Juan de
Norte, or Greytown.
The contract prohibits its transfer tC
any other person or foreign company ant
specifies that It shall not be transferred
to any other government. It is forfeit
able in case the railroad referred to 4
not completed within three years. Th,
Maritime Canal company's contract con
tains an article referring to a concession