The record-union., 1897-09-03

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2.-Japan, not
content with an interference with Pres
ident McKinley's Hawaiian annexation
policy, now has designs upon the Mic
araguan Canal According to semi
official advices just received here from
Nicaragua, the Japanese Government
is secretly negotiating with the Diet of
the Greater Republic of Central Amer
lea, which recently met in San Saliva
dor, for the construction of the Nicar-
aguan Canal, independent and in def
ance 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, is of the
greatest significance, showing, as it
does, to the authorities, that there is
no limit to the ambition of the nation,
and that her aggressive policy may yet
get her into trouble with the United
States That the Administration will
resent any interference with the Mic
araguan Canal project, as it did in the
case of the Hawaiian annexation trea-
ty, goes without saying.
If Japan can encompass it, according
to the Nicaraguan advices received
here, she would like to obtain the abro-
cation of all treaty rights possessed by
the United States in relation to inter
oceanic transit and the forfeiture of
the American canal concessions from
Nicaragua, and to Immediately make
treaty with the Diet of the Greater
Republic of Central America, giving
her control of the canal route through
Nicaragua. In the negotiations Costa
Rica has not been consulted, it being
well known that she would not assent
to violation of a treaty right. 1t has
been suspected in some quarters that
England, which has always been anX-
ious to acquire at least a joint control
of the canal, might be working in col
lusion with Japan in the "dickering"
with the Diet now understood to be in
progress, but nothing has yet come to
the surface to indicate that she has en-
couraged Japan in the move.
1t is said that the agent of the Mic
araguan 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-
tiations that are now being carried on
between Japan and the Diet Senior
Zelaya, the President of Nicaragua, it
is understood has admitted to close
personal friends that Japan is now ne
gotiating with the Diet, but in each
case he advised the strictest secrecy.
private letter just received in this
city from Nicaragua says:
"Among Americans in Central Amer
lea the belief is general that the Great
er Republic of Central America, which
is represented in its diplomatic affairs
by a Diet composed of three members,
one each from Nicaragua, San Saliva
dor and Honduras, was organized
principally in order that Nicaragua
might absolve herself from individual
responsibility as a nation and thereby
abrogate her interoceanic transit trea-
ty with the United States.
"The so-called Greater Republic,
resenting the failure of the United
States to recognize the Greater Repub-
lie (receiving Senor Rodriguez and in
falling to accredit United States Min
lister to the Greater Republic, is likely
to try and make a treaty with Japan,
granting her a concession for the con-
struction of the canal
"The United States Minister here be-
lieves that when this news reaches
Washington the State Department will
send a note to Japan asking if she is
seeking to interfere with our treaty
rights in the premises. The Americans
in Nicaragua believe that the United
States Government will insist that her
interoceanic treaties with Nicaragua,
Costa Rica and Colombia are yet in
force, although the Diet claims that
Nicaragua and Honduras are no longer
separate and individual nations, and
are, therefore. irresponsible"
Although the State Department off,
cials will not admit that any inforna-
ton has yet come through official chan
nels to confirm private advices, there
are reasons for believing that the au-
thorities have been watching Japan's
movements in Central America with
with more or less suspicion for some
time past.