Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-12-09
N1cARAaUAN CANAL.
Some Definite Action ON the Subject
Is Urged.

Is Urged.
The Nicaragua canal commission. under
the championship of Rear Admiral John g.
Walker, appointed July "a. 1897, under the
authority of a provision In the sundry civil |
act of June Of that year has near
ly completed its labors, and the results OF
its exhaustive inquiry into the proper
route. the feasibility and the cost Of con-
struction Of an interoceanic canal by Mic
araguan route will be laid before you. In
the performance Of its task the commission
received all possible courtesy and assist
ans costa R ae Waies Gu ss.aed ser
appreciation of the importance Of giving
speedy and practical outcome to the great
project that has for 30 many years en-
crossed the attention Of the respective
AS the scope of recent inquiry embraced
the whole subject, with the aim OF making
plans aan I91 ~
review of the results of previous surveys
and plans. and in particular those adopted
existing concessions from Nicaragua and
Costa Rica, SO that to this extent those
grants necessarily held an essential part
canal commission as they have held and
must needs hold In the discussion of the
matter by the congress. Under these cir
to the governments of Nicaragua and
Costa Rica by other parties for new
canal concession predicted on the as
of the Maritime Canal company with those
states, have not hesitated to express my
conviction that considerations OF expedi-
ency and international policy, as between
the several governments interested In the
construction and control of an inter
oceanic canal by this route require the
canal commission shall have reported and
the United States congress shall have had
whole matter during the present session,
without prejudice by reason OF any change
in the existing conditions
Nevertheless 1t appears that the govern
ment of Nicaragua as one of its last sover-
eign acts before merging Its powers IN
those of the newly-formed United States
of Central America, has granted an option
al concession to another association, to be-
come effective on the expiration of the
present grant. It does not appear what
surveys have been made, or what route Ia
proposed under this contingent granted, SO
that an examination of the feasibility OF
Of the
circumstances suggest the urgency OF
some definite action by the congress al
be utilized and the linking of the Atlantic
way is to be realized. That the construc
more than ever Indispensable to that init
mate and ready REORGANIZATION be
: tween our eastern and western seaboard!
demanded by the annexation of the Ha
Eaiian islands and the prospective ex
pansion OF our influence and commerce t,
Pacl1c, ana that our national policy nov
more imperatively than ever calls for 1t
control by. this government, are PROPOSE
, tons which l doubt not the congress will
} duly appreciate and wisely act upon.
a convention providing for the reviya
OF the late United States and Chilial
claims commission and the consideration
: of claims which were duly presented to tn
late commission but not considered becaus
Z Of the. expiration Of the time limited for tn
d duration of the commission, was signe
May "a, 1897, and has remained unacte
n upon by the senate. The term therein f1Xe
: for effecting the exchange of ratification
t having elapsed, the convention falls uncs
= the time be extended by amendment, whic
: ] am endeavoring to bring about, with tn
+ ment.
t Events in China.
: The United States has not been an ir
different spectator of the extraordinar
q events Transporting in the Chinese empir,
: whereby portions of its maritime prov
o nces are passing under the control of var
7, Gus European powers; but the prospet
), that the vast commerce which the energ
y Of our citizens and the necessity of OF
J, staple productions for Chinese uses hs
q built up in those regions may not be prejl
i diced through any exclusive treatment
'e the now occupants has obviated the nee
y of our country becoming an actor in tt
IS scene. Our position among nations, havir
p, n large Pacific coast and constantly e,
!. orient gives us the equitable claim to col
"a sideration and friendly treatment In tn
v regard, and 1t will be my aim to subser,
4 our largo interests In that quarter by g
"a means appropriate to the constant policy
'e our government. The territories Of Kis
3. snd Tsii:n wan Leased g q ltss!I.Va 81. ~