The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-10-15
MAY CAUSE TROUBLE.
Diplomatic Controversy With Nicaragua
May Follow Her Grant to an English
Company.

a Washington despatch to the New
YORK Herald says: Another diplomatic
controversy between the United States
and Nicaragua is impending as result
OF Nicaragua's action in granting a con-
cession to an English corporation, which,
1t is believed, conflicts with that given
TO the Maritime Canal Company, OF
New York.
Fearing injury to the rights of the
American corporation, the State Depart
ment recently oabled to Minister Baker
at Managua, directing him to examine
the concession, and in case it oonficted
with that of the canal company to enter
a strong protest. The result of Mr.. Ba-
ker's examination is not known to the
department., which is awaiting with some
eagerness the receipt of a copy of the con-
cession. A copy has reached Washington,
however, and have it in my possession.
1.-The most important feature of the
contract between the English corporation,
known as the Atlas Steamship Company,
Limited, and the Nicaraguan govern
ment, next to that which cOnfers exclu-
sive navigation rights upon the company,
is that which disclaims any intention to
conflict with the canal concession.
a" This concession, the contract reads,
will not be an obstacle in the way Of
the contracts which the government has
relati We to the opening Of the inter
oceanic canal along the same line, nor
will it affect the contract for the same
which has been made
"This provision of the contract seems
to be rather singular, especially when
compared with the concession awarded to
the canal company. The first paragraph
Matus, Minister of Public Instruction.
temporarily In charge Of the Office OF
Pubic Works, representing the govern
ment of the State, and Louis Wichmann
representing the Atlas Steamship Com
pany, Limited, according to the. authority
given him, have arranged the following
contract, with the ides of developing the
steam navigation of Lake Nicaragua and
the River San Juan del Norte. which
each day becomes less navigable, and tc
| facilitate the communication to the At
| lantic, on which great interests depend
and with the expectation of developing
| the commerce and agriculture, and
thus improving the situation in ths
country
| LII OOUblu6TdUlUu OIL b16 RC06U expenses
| to which the company will be subject the
government gives 1t the exclusive right
Of steam navigation in the Silico Lag oor
for thirty years from the flnal.approval Of
this contract, and the exclusive right fol
the same time of constructing tramways
and railroads along the line, and at the
| best places to avoid the obstacles in the
river San Juan.
apparently this section conflicts witt
Ln xro cd IN he ovf%
Canal Company, which provides thai
''the company shall have the right to con
struct and operate a railway along the
whole extent of the canal, or those par tt
of the same that may be considered con.
venient for the better service and opera
ton OF the said work. The State binds
| itself to abstain from granting a oonces.
| sion to a railroad such as might compete
with the canal for the transportation OF
merchandise.
| The contract gives the Atlas Company
the right to appropriate, the lands of pri