The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-30
FAvoRs NICARAGUA CANAL.
why Protest Has Been Lodged
Against Minister Merry.

|
WASHINGTON, July Estate Depart
ment officials are very reticent upon the
subject of the objection which has been
lodged against the reception of Capt. w. L.
Merry, of San Francisco, as United States
minister to Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Sal
vador, to succeed Lewis Baker. The matter
is now engaging the attention of officials,
and it is expected that within q few days
such representations will be made on our
part to the countries concerned as may in
duce them to abandon their objections as
not well founded. 1t is possible that the
objection to the selection Of Captain Merry
is not so much on account Of the manner
in which he has been credited to the three
countries of Central America, instead of
the Greater Republic of Central America,
as because of his pronounced views on the
N1caraguan canal. captain Merry was
pushed by the California delegation for the
position because he was an enthusiastic
supporter of the canal project and because
of his wide knowledge of the subject.
When 1t was published that he was likely
to be appointed the son of j. r. Rodriguez,
minister of the Greater Republic of Central
America, made protest to the Department
or state against ms appointment. Inc rea-
son given was that he would not be
ceptable TO all the countries forming the
new government. Some of the old ques-
tions were called up and it stated that
the present President of one of the States
objected to Merry This was all cleared
dent credited with making the objection,
saying that Captain Merry would be quite
acceptable minister and he would be
glad to welcome him. The nomination of
Merry was then sent in and he was con-
tirmed, but 1t appears that his enthusiastic
support of the canal project has made him
unacceptable to Rodriguez, who is opposed
to the canal, reported in the bill before
the last Congress. 1t will be remembered
that letter of his was published While the
bill was under discussion, taking decided
grounds against the canal. Captain Merry
presented a paper TO the Transmississippi
Congress, at Salt Lake City, on July is,
this year, taking a most emphatic position
in favor of the construction of the canal.
Armor Compnny's OFFER Rejected.
WASHINGTON, July 29.-Secretary Long
has rejected the offer of the armor COM
panies to supply the diagonal plates for the
three battle ships Alabama, Wisconsin and
Illinois, now building, at price to be fixed
hereafter by the Navy Department itself.
The companies made this offer under the
impression that as the armor of this kind
is entirely within the hull and superstruc-
ture of the ships, the failure Of the gov
ernment to procure it would stop the work
of the ShipbuilderS entirely. Therefore,
while they refused to furnish all of the ar
NOR needed at the price fixed by Congress,
they undertook TO supply the diagonal ar
NOR leaving the price afterwards to be ad-
| juated. Secretary Long, however, has
| found that it will be possible to go on with
| the work of building the ships ana allow
! the armor to be placed later. The Con-
| struction Bureau has professed its ability
| to do this with as little disturbance of the
| ships structure as could result from plac-
| ing a boiler in the hull. Besides the secre-
| tary felt that there was doubt as to
| his authority to commit the government in
| this way to an indefinite expenditure, and,
/ as the act of Congress has pointed out the
| course to be pursued IN the event of a
failure of the armor companies mes TO accept
the price fixed for armor, he has decided to
! decline the offer.