The National tribune., 1897-01-28

from the Minister Of tho Greater Republic Of
Central America to tho Secretary OF state,
which had been transmitted by Secretary
Olney. Tho Communication criticised the
pending Nicaragua Canal bill in various par
ticulars, and pointed ont certain objections
which, in his opinion, would render them
nueatory. The communication was signed by
J. d. Rodriguez
As soon as the Communication had boon read
Mr.. Morgan took the door. He said the COM
munica.ion had come before the Senate in
proper form, because it came through the
State Department. but the Senate had no
knowledge of who tho signer was. did not even
know officially OF the existence OF the :" Greater
Republic Of Central America"
"Mr. Rodrigues is the accredited representa-
tive here OF that Republic" interrupted Mr..
Sherman.
II understand" replied Mr.. Morgan. "that
he has bsen received and bowed into the
Diplomatic Corps, but this is our nrst
knowledge that such Government exists:
The Greater Republic of Central America, as !
understand it, s q combination or coalition OF
Honduras. Salvador, and Nicaragua repre-
sented by q diet. 1t has no internal organiza-
ton, and only has power over the diplomatic
affairs of these countries. The President, IN
receiving this representative OF the diet DIS
tinctly informed him, as We learn from the
newspapers, that our relations with the PEG,
in no wise be affected.
"I am glad he made the reservation. The
condition of affairs is abnormal. One Govern
ment sends a Minister to country that has
no organization, and receives representa- tive
of diet which does not represent an organized
Government"
Mr.. Morgan said the British Government
was interested in counteracting the purposes
of the United States as to Nicaragua. he had
so expressed his conviction to the Secretary OF
State.
"Great Britain is using that diet as a cats
paw for the purpose Of driving us out OF the
Isthmus That is a serious statement, but l
make it deliberately in the United States Sem
| ate aud it demands an answer"
| Raising his right hand. Mr.. Morgan brought
| it down with resounding force on the desk, and
| added:
"That answer must be given before there
| is anv ratification of this new arbitration
treaty."
Mr. Morgan said it was an unusual thing
that the Minister for this new Republic should
| send such communication. If these Govern
ments desire to forfeit any concession, they
| should do it and then the American Congress
would determine if there had been violation
| Of contract rights given to American citizens.
| Mr.. Hale interposed the suggestion that
| Minister Rodriguez's letter seemed to raise
| grave question as to whether the measure
under consideration could proceed. Whether
| this could be explained away or not he was not
able to say. but he asked Mr.. Morgan, in charge
| of the BILL as to its status since the presenta-
ton of this letter.
Mr. Morgan explained the diplomatic status.
| Nicaragua was formerly represented by q Min
lister, DIR. Guzman, but he had gone. Nicaragua
had entered the Central American Repubiic
and this latter union had sent Minister hodri'
guez TO represent it at Washington.
1 Sc N ;tnu
our face while the Senate rs seeking to deal
with the Isthmian question"
| Mr.. Morgan favored making Nicaragua 1--we
M to her contract and concessions.
Mr.. Morgan said the real cause for the ap.
pearance Of this Rodriguez letter was that II
proposed a renewal OF the Freiinghuyssn'
Savala treaty, by which we were to pay Mica
ragua S4.OO0OO docs Nicaragua wish tt
handle that 81, 600 600" inquired Mr.. Morgan
suggestively. The Senator believed this was
the real motive for the appearance of the letter
Let this Minister send that statement back t.
his Government" said Mr. Morgan.
Referring to the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, Mr.
Morgan said it was not worth the paper II wa'
written on He proceeded to discuss the Ere
linghuysen-Savalla treaty, aud referred to the
positjon Of Mr. Sherman as to treaties affecting
the canal.
q will say" interjected Mr. Sherman, that
favor the Nicaragua Canal"
Mr.. Hoar rose at this point to suggest tina
Senators were trenching on questions properi,
fit for Executive sessions, and he said he wouit
! feel compelled to move to have the doors ciosee
il the debate proceeded on these lines.
Mr.. Morgan said he believed In going aheat
Il irrespective OF this protest. He did not tbini
the United States should pay 100000 for
concession that it now possessed.
The pending bill proposed to submit to tn
Government Of Nicaragua the question whethe
| N not hu Njrar n
: no right to come here and attempt to interior
with our action by saying that the bill wou!'
violate a treaty. If she did not desire to accep
the contract she could reject it. II the position
of Nicaragua, as represented by this communi
cation. could be sustained it would enable he
: to go to Great Britain with the proposition sh
D desired to press here on the United States.
3 Mr.. Halo insisted that Minister Rodrigue
was fully recognized; the letter of Secretar
Olney termed him Minister of the Contra
, | American Republic" Nicaragua had merge
her identity into the new Republic. Mr. Hal
. insisted that the Minister'S protest was Of tn
Q grayest consequence.
Mr. Morgan said an inquiry should be started
f 1t was useless for him to propose an inquiry,
z the State Department would decliue to Al 1we
Q "This movement of Rodriguez was inspired b
2 the British Government" exclaimed Mr.. MOI
gan land he was sent here for that purpose.
4 Mr. Hale answered that he did not conside
i the assertion Juettned. lie ieit loo, that I'll
4 word "blackmail" was ill-chosen. and thu
, Niacaragua's motives were not open to sue
: | insinuati0ns.
o Mr.. Villas said the communication from til
:. Minister of friendly power had dealt deatl
Q blow to the pending canal bill. The Senate
: | paid high tribute to the Central America
b States, and severely criticised the statemeI
n that blackmaii was implied by the commuu
o cation just presented. 1t i'll became Senator
G of the great Northern Republic to use sue
n terms toward the Republics of the South. Th
letter of Minister Rodriguez was dignifed an
q respectful, addressed to the proper branch
n the Government. the State Department. n
It could not believe the Senate would disregar
It q communication Of this grave important
j. coming from the representative OF a friendl
r power.
II Senior Rodriguez was interviewed on the SUI
r ject later. and said, in part: " You may mo
Q, emphatcally deny that feel any surprise I
it displcasure that my representations to Seer
% tary Olney on the Nicaragua Canal have bee
made public. / made my communicati0ns q
r, the subject to him with the expectation tn
y they would be transmitted to Congress. Seer
& tary Olney aud had talk at tho Diplomat
ye dinner, aud we had perfect understanding
ID the matter. desire to say that fully indor
ID the sentiment of my country. Weare not Ell
. mics of the cana! project nor OF the Unite
10 States. We very much desire the canal to
,e built and We prefer that it should be built wi
t. American capital; but felt compelled to sta
objection to tho legislation pending in 20