The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-22
Japan Has No Designs on the Mica
ragua Canal.


We directed attention a week ago to an
interview with Mr.. ToRU HosHI, recorded
in certain Japanese newspapers, to the
effect that, while he was serving as Minis
ter at Washington, concessions regarding
the Nicaragua Canal were offered to him
by Mr.. RODRIGUEZ, the representative of
the so-called Greater Republic of Central
America. We are now able to say on first
hand n conclusive authority what took
place on the occasion referred to. What
the incident actually brought out was the
determination of Japan to maintain cor.
dial relations with the United States and
to reject any overtures, the acceptance of
which might tend to place her in an I'M
friendly attitude toward this country.
The facts, which we are able to vouch for,
are as follows: Last spring Mr.. HosHI and
Mr.. RODRIGUEZ, Minister of the so.called
Greater Republic of Central America, were
negotiating a treaty Of commerce and navi-
cation. This treaty, which, so far as Japan
is concerned, was to be strictly limited
to the purposes named, still remains
~uncompleted. 1t Is true that, in the
course of the negotiations, Mr.. ROD
RIGUEz. said that his Government
deemed it desirable to take all possible
measures to assure the exclusive applica-
tion of any interoceanic route. hat might
be opened through Nicaragua, to the in
terests of and navigation in
general. To that end he proposed that-we
quote from his memorandum-"th Gov
eminent of Japan should guarantee to the
Greater Republic of Central America,
and in its name to the State of Mica
ragua, the rights of possession, owner
ship, and sovereignty over the Isthmus
and the interoceanic route, as well as the
neutrality and innocent use of the same
when open to commerce." In return for
this guarantee, Japan was to have the same
rights as to the use of the canal which
should be enjoyed by other maritime ma
tions upon the payment Of the same fees,
tolls, &c., and subject to the same laws and
regulations.
Now, Mr.. HosHI was aware that almost
all American statesmen believe that the
Nicaragua Canal should be constructed
and operated, not under a general guaran-
tee of commercial nations, but under the
sole guarantee of the United States, which
confederation is most vitality interested in
the opening of the waterway. So believ-
ing, they hold that the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty, which provided for q joint guarantee
on the part of the United States and Eng
land, is either actually void through the
failure of the consideration promised by
England, or at least voidable at the option
Of this country. Acquainted with these
facts, Mr.. HosHr replied to Mr.. RODRIGUEZ
that he could not understand the necessity
for a special guarantee on the part Of Japan,
but promised, as 1t was his duty to promise,
to communicate the proposal to his Govern
ment. This he did, and the answer re,
ceived from Toxic was to the effect that
Japan could hardly undertake such a guar
antee alone, but that the imperial Gov
eminent had NJ objection to joining the
other maritime nations having treaty rela
tions with Nicaragua, in call reasonable
and proper measures for the preservation o.
the neutrality of the canal" II this hat
been the only message received at the tim,
from Toxic, it might have been inferred
that Japan was willing to combine will
England and other European nations il
n joint guarantee OF the neutrality o
the canal, instead of deferring to tn,
known wish of the United States that tn,
waterway should be under the special AM
sole guarantee of this country. AS a mat
ter of fact, however, simultaneously will
the despatch of the instructions concerning
the reply to be made to Mr.. RODRIGUEZ
, Mr.. HosHI was directed to %communicat
{ with our Secretary of State for the purpos
: of ascertaining achether participation il
t such a general guarantee wouid be agreeo
: Die to the Government Of the United States
| This Mr.. HosHI Immediately did, explicit
Q and frankly.
t There the matter rests. Mr.. RoDRIGUE
has gone home, and meanwhile even tn
commercial treaty projected between Japa
" and the Greater Republic of Centre
t America remains, as we have said. uncon
| pleted. For purely commercial reason
Japan, not unnaturally, desires to obtal
!, such a treaty, but she has convinced on
State Department that she has no ~intentio
t of participating in any undertaking, eve
remotely or indirectly. hostile to the II