The San Francisco call., 1897-07-15
Appointment Considered as
FaVoring the Nicaragua
Canal.
THE DIETS OPPOSITION WAS
CIRCUMVENTED.
Probable Technical Error In the
State Department, but Con-
frmation Certain.

WASHINGTON, ID. c., July 1.-THE
nomination OF Captain William L. Merry
of San Francisco to be Minister to Mica
racua was sent TO the Senate to-lay, as
predicted in The CALL dispatches. The
official title is Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary to Nicaragua,
Costa Rica and Salvador. Senator Per-
kins said 10 The CALL correspondent to-
night:
II believe this appointment will be very
popular in California. Captain Merry is
universally esteemed by the people, not
only of California but of the entire Pa
citc Coast. As the captain OF a ship he
has acquired a nautical knowledge that
has made him an authority on the coast.
His residence IN Nicaragua ena bled
him to thoroughly acquaint himself
with the Nicaraguan canal subject.
DE is even familiar with The
route the canal will take. He is man OF
rare intelligence. His literature on the
canal subject has been widely read aud
has been of great assistance TO those OF US
in Washington who have been working TO
secure the canal. During my last inter-
view with the President / broached the
canal subject by suggesting that the
nomination of Captain Merry would be
accepted By the people OF California and
the entire country as meaning that the
administration favored the canals con-
struction by this Government. Although
the President did not commit himself
positively. | left with the impress sion that
he favored the canal"
With reference to the report that some
opposition had developed in Washingt
as 10 Captain Merry's appointment, it ap-
pears that there was no opposition from
the Pacific Coast, but that the "Diet" OF
the FIVE Central American States sent a
Cablegram TO Washington stating that
Captain Merry would be persona non
grata to them. The Diet" it seems, is q
body of men representing the five Central
American States in diplomatic matters.
The United States Govern ment no longer
recognizes the Greater Republic of Cen
trail America" as 1t was formerly called,
but OF late years has divided the five
States into two groups, as follows: Mica
ragua, Costa Rica and Salvador and
Guatemala and Honduras.
When the cablegram was received from
the "Diet" President Mckinley sent for
ofthe message. which had been translated
at the State Department. The President
seemed 10 think that this was sufficient 10
prevent Captain Merry's nomination, but
Senator Perkins asked him 10 defer his
decision Tor few days. IN the meantime
the Captains friends were at work.
cablegram was soon received py President
Mckinley from President Zeiaya of Mica
rsgua, saying that Captain Merry's ap.
pointment would please the Nicaraguap
republic and that he would be received
with open arms. Letters and teiegrams
also came from San Francisco and many
other points in California and the Pacific
Coast States urging the President TO ap.
point Captain Merry. Senators Mcbride
of Oregon and Frye of Maine also saw the
President at Senator Perkins request.
The nomination, as it went to the Sen.
ate to-day, appoints Captain Merry 10
Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Salvador,
when, according to Senator Perkins, il
should have been Nicaragua, Hondura:
and Salvador. He says that according te
the diplomatic and consular appropria
tion bill Nicaragua, Honduras and Saliva
dor are III one group and Guatemala and
Costa Rica in another. He is inclined Il
believe a mistake has been made at the
State Department, but is not quite sure O
it. He Will investigate the matter to- m or
row. There is no doubt Of Captain Merry
confirmation. Hlssalary will be $1,000