Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-30
ELECTION To MERRY.
WHAT 1T Is THAT RENDERS HIM
"PERsONA NON GRATA.,
The kICARAGUA-CANAL PROJECT.
our Appointce Is Enthusiastically
I'm Favor of the Scheme, While the
Central American Representative
at Washington Opposes IL.

Dapartnnent officials are very retcent upon
the subject OF the objection which has
heen lodged against the reception Of cap
tain w. l.. Merry. Of San Francisco as
United States Minister to Nicaragua
Costa Rica. and Salvador, TO succeed
Lewis Baker. The matter Is now en-
Gazing the attention of the officials. ana
It is expected that within few days
such representations will be made on our
mart TO the countries concerned as may
,rduco them to abandon their objections
as not well founded. II is gathered
that the objection is preferred by one OF
the three countries TO which Mr.. Merry
IS accredited, and that one Of the other
TWO has supported it altogether as
matter of courtesy toward comrade IN
the league which forms the Greater Re
public of Central America.
II is possible that the objection to the
selection of Captain Merry is not so
mucn on account Of the manner in which
he has been accredited TO the three
countries Of Central America. instead
Of the Greater Republic Of Central Amer
Tea. as because Of his pronounced views
on the Nicaragua canal. Captain Merry
was pushed by the California delegation
for the position because he was an en-
thuslastic supporter Of the canal project
and because of his wide knowledge on the
subject.
When II was published that he was
likely TO be appointed, the son OF ). u.
Roderiguez. Minister Of the Greater Re-
public of Central America, made pro-
test to the Department of State against
his appointment The reason given was
that he would not be acceptable TO all
the countries forming the new govern
ment. Some old questions were called
up. and II was stated that the present
President of one of the states objected
TO Merry. This was all cleared UP, ana
a cable was received from the President
credited with making the objection, say
ing that Captain Merry would be quite
acceptable as Minister, and he would De
glad to welcome him. The nomination
of Merry was then sent in, and he was
confirmed but it appears that his enthu-
siastic support of the canal project had
made him unacceptable TO Rodriguez,
who is opposed to the canal, as reported
I'm the bill before the last Congress Ii
will be remembered that a letter Of his
was published while the bill was under
discussion, taking decided grounds against
the canal. Captain Merry presented
paper 10 the Trans Mississippi Congress
at Salt Lake City, on July 18th, this year.
taking a most emphatic position I'm favor
Of the construction of the canal.
CENTRAL AMERICAN REPUBLIC.
In connection with the organization OF
the Central American States. a very IN
teresting report has been received from
William Meyers Little, Consul at Tesucl-
galpa. Honduras. enclosing a copy OF the
treaty that has been signed by the rep
resentatives of the five Central Amerl-
can States, or republics, of Guatemala,
Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, ana
Salvador. This treaty was signed by all
the republics June 18th, and Is expected
10 90 into effect September 18th, If ratl-
fed by that. time. The union Is named
the Republic of Central America and the
countries forming il will never take the
names of States. Last year, when the
republics of Honduras Nicaragua, ana
Salvador formed themselves into the
Greater Republic of Central America,
provision was made for the admission or
Guatemala and Costa Rica which has
never been accomplished The treaty IS
similar 10 that made last year. except
that its provisions are extended, and
considerable legislation is enacted in 1t
for the government of the new republic.
The republic has the power to nominate
diplomatic and consular officers. and TO
receive foreign ENJOYS and give eXequa-
surs to foreign cOnsuls; to issue passports
TO ministers and ENJOYS of foreign ma
lions. and to withdraw the eXequaturs OF
consuls. one section of the Treaty pro-
vides that "the diplomatic and consular
representation shall hereafter be in the
name of the Republic of Central Ameri-
ca" but it is understood that when
State may need, on its own account,
diplomatic or consular representation, 1t
shall be provided with the parsonage 1t
may indicate.
The government Of the new republic is
vested I'm q chief Of States, who Is TO be
elected. taken from each of the States
i'm their alphabetical order, and who shall
hold Office for one year. a council, COM
posed Of two representatives, from each
state. with the chief Of States, shall con-
stitute the government Alliances Of de-
fence and preservation for all the States
are provided and the expense Of govern
ment and of war are TO be assessed by
the council.