Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-03


Abrogatsd So That She May Get
Control of the Interoceanic Wat
erway Hints of Collision With
England-The United States in
the Way.
New York, September "A special
to the Herald from Washington says.
Japan, not content with interference
with President .McKinley's Hawaiian
annexation policy, now has designs
upon the Nicaragua canal. According
to semi-official advices received here
from Nicaragua, the Japanese govern
ment is secretly negotiating with the
diet of the Greater Republic Of Central
America, which recently met in Saliva
dor. for the construction Of the Mica
raguan canal, Independent and in de-
fiance of the interests and influence OF
the United States or other nations.
This action of Japan, taken in con-
nection with her recent attitude in re-
gard to Hawaiian annexation, show
ing, as it does; to the authorities that
| there is no limit to the ambition of the
! nation and her aggressive policy may
! get her in trouble with the United
| States. That the administration will
resent any interference with the Mica
raguan canal prospect as it did in the
case of the Hawaiian annexation
treaty, goes without saying.
If Japan can encompass it, according
to the Nicaraguan advices received
here, she would like to obtain the
abrogation of all treaty rights possess
ed by the United States in relation to
inter-oceanic transit and the forfeiture
OF the American canal concession from
Nicaragua and to Immediately make
treaty with the diet of the Greater Re-
public of Central America, giving her
control of the great route through
Nicaragua. In the negotiations Costa
Rica has not been consulted, it being
we'll known that she would not assent
to violation of treaty right.
1t has been suspected in some quar-
tors that England which has always
been anxious to acquire at least joint
control of the canal, might be working
in collision with Japan in the dick
ering" with the diet now understood
TO be in progress, but nothing has
vet come to the surface to indicate that
she has encouraged Japan. in the move.
II is cd1d the agent of the Nicara-
guam Canal here has laid the facts
before Mr. Hitchcock, the president of
the canal company in New York, with
the suggestion that the State Depart
ment be apprised of the secret nego-
tjations that are now being carried
on between Japan and the diet. Senior
Zelaya, President Of Nicaragua, it is
understood, has admitted, to close per-
sCnal friends that Japan is negotiating
with the diet, but in each case he adj
vised the strictest secrecy
A private letter just received in this
city from Nicaragua says: Among
Americans in Central America the be-
lief is general that the Greater Repub-
lie of Central America, which is repre-
sented in its diplomatic affairs by a
diet composed of three members Zone
each from Nicaragua, Salvador and
! Honduras), was organized principally
in order that Nicaragua might absolve
! herself from individual responsibility
az mr. al, 70 l.
! inter-oceanic transit treaty with the
| United States" The so-called Greater
| Republic. Iesenting the failure Of the
| United States to recognize the Greater
Republic Con receiving Senior Rodriguez
as MINISTRY and it falling to accredit
a United States minister to the Great
er Republic is likely to try and make
treaty with Japan, granting her con-
cessions for the construction Of the
canal
The United States minister here be
lieyes that when this news reaches
Washington the State Department will
send a note to Japan asking IL she /:
seeking to interfere with our treaty
rights in the premises The Ameri-
cans in Nicaragua believe that the
United States government will insis.
that her inter-oceanic treaties with Nj
caragua, Costa RIGA, Honduras and Co.
lumbia are yet in force, although the
diet claims that Nicaragua and Hon
duras are no longer separate and in II
vidual nations, and are therefore irre-
sponsible."
Although the State Department off,
Gals will not admit that any informa-
ton has come through official chan
nels to confirm private advices on this
subject. there are reasons for beley-
ing that the authorities have been
watching Japan's movements in Cen
trail America with more. or less suspi-
cion for some time.