New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-06
NICARAGUA'S QUEER ACTION.
CONCESSIONS TO AN ENGLISH CONCERN
SIMILAR TO THE MARITIME
CANAL COMPANY'S

Managua. Nicaragua Dec 81. Wichmann.
representing the English corporation known as
the Atlas Steamship Company. Limited. has de-
posted with the Treasury OF Nicaragua $1,000
In gold as the companys guarantee under its
contract with the Nicaraguan Government. by
the terms OF which the company receives the
exclusive right Of steam navigation for thirty
years on the Silicon Lagoon. Lake Nicaragua
and the River San Juan del Norte. with the
exclusive right. Also for the same time OF con-
structing tramways and railroads along the
line. and at the best places to avoid the obsta-
Giles in the River San Juan.
Ry the terms Of the contract between the Mica
raguan Government and the Atlas Steamship Com
pany. referred TO in the foregoing dispatch. the
Government undertakes to pay the company 5000
silver for every mile OF railroad built between 'oi-
orado Junction and the Silicon Lagoon. The COM
pany receives the right to appropriate the iahus
OF private parties necessary for the right OF way
On its part is The obligation to make at least
three trips n month with Its steamers between
Granada and San Juan del Norte. both ways anu
at least month 10 touch at every inhao''eu
port the lake.
The contract. by It's terms makes the concession
forfeitable in case the railroad IL not hhisneo
within three years from the date OF the instru-
ment and It contains a provision prohibiting us
transfer TO another person or Foreign company VI
TO any Government.
Diplomatic negotiations are In progress intor-
mally between the United States and Nicaragua
with respect to the apparent conflict between ire
concession to the Atlas Steamship Company. ahd
that made to the Maritime Canal COMPANY OF
New-York which provides that the Maritime "a
nal Company shall have the right to construct
and operate a railway along the whole extent OF
the canal. those parts or the same that may
be considered convenient for the better service ana
operation OF the said work. the State (Nicaragua)
binding itself to abstain from granting a concef-
sion to n railroad such might compete with the
canal for the transportation OF merchandise
The lagoon variousy described as the SILICON
Silican and Silico) IL somewhat on the route OF
what will ultimately be the Nicaragua Canal; but
Il is said that exclusive" privileges OF navigation
in Lake Nicaragua and the San Juan River Tor
the next thirty years might. In effect limit the
navigation Of the canal especially H. when the
American company's concession expires. two years
hence the English corporation should. under the
terms OF the concession. succeed 10 all exclusive
The concession TO the Maritime Canal Company
contains article 10 n concession by Mica
ragua in 1877 TO +. Ar Pe.as similar to that
granted to the Atlas company: but the Nicaraguan
Government announced explicitly that Maritime
Canal Company had the right OF appropriation
against Pellas. The practical question is whether
the concession 10 the English company does not
conflict with that 10 the American company rs
clearly as did that OF Mr.. Pelas