Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-27
ALL EXPECTATIONS SURPASSED
UNITED STATES REGARDED AS A
WARM FRIEND.
Costa Rica's Interest in the Nicaragua
CannI-Is Naturally Anxious for
the Building of the Great
InterOceanic Wat
erway.

Ciated Press to-day, ana, III an INFORMAL
way, talked for publication of the impress
sions he had formed of the country and
of some of the purposes Of his visit.
Naturally l am very deeply gratified
at the reception given me by your govern
ment and your president said he, ard
| look upon it not so much as Il tribute TO
myself as an evidence of that good will
which the great republic of the North has
for all the republics of South and Central
America. We have long appreciated the
cordiality and sympathy which this govern
ment has shown toward us. and it has
led us to look to this strong and stable
government as a guide, an inspiration. and,
most of ALL as true and stalwart friend.
Your president has given many evidences Of
this sincere bona of friendship to the pres
idents of the other republics. But I am
glad to see, from my own personal observ-
alton. how strong This bond is between
the governments and peoples of all the
Americas-North South and Central.
'Of your country, I can only say that it
surpasses all that we hear of it. l have
had some opportunity to see the extent and
beauty of your public buildings, Libraries
and art galleries, as well as your great
commercial houses, and they have all inn
pressed me as characteristic of that III
fluence which the United States is exertins
III tNe affairs OIL tile WOTIu. am
to visit the schools, the hospitals and The
charitable institutions, to see how in these
lines, as IN ali others, this country is giving
splendid example to the rest of the world,
but l have already seen enough TO assure
me that the great Northern republic is ad-
vancing in all the branches of industry.
science. art and education which goes TO
make up civiZa ation.'
Following this general tribute, President
Iglesias was asked as to the interests of
Costa Rica in the interoceanic canal.
..Of course, our coutry feels great in
terest in any waterway which crosses
Central American and brings together the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans. We are SO
placed, geographically, that we are prac-
tically the center Of the world and of
the worlds commerce, for Costa Rico is
midway between North America and South
America. 1t would be difficult to lind a
country SO favorably located by nature
as center of the worlds commerce. Be
sides this geographical advantage. We
have the advantages of soil and climate.
We are without extremes of heat ard
cold the variations of temperature being
very slight. The country Is naturally rich,
with quiet and prosperous people. and
is awaiting the capital and labor TO de-
velop it, although IL needs immigration
and strong hands more than anything
else. With these conditions prevailing, the
building of the canal seems 'to US to be
natural and inevitable, and we share the
feeling of all progressive people in favor
of this enterprise. Costa Rica has spe-
cial interest. also. in the fact that she
borders on the San Juan river and has
certain rights, well as general inter-
ests in the building of the canal
President Iglesias added, however, that
Iii,
to the canal, his visit to the United States
proposition relative to the canal, but was
purely for health and recreation. If the
subject came up he was prepared to give
such information as he possessed. but there
was no prearransed plan in that direction.
When asked as TO whether Costa Rica
would join other Central American coun-
tries in forming the United States of Cen
trail America, as has recently been done
by Nicaragua, Salvador and Honduras.
he said that question has not yet been
determined or seriously considered. Costa
Rica is awaiting the result of the recent
union.. regarding it as somewhat expert
mental.
terview with President 1glesias,- of Costa
Rica. to-day. President 1glesias was ac-
Companied to the White House by Min
lister Calvo. of Costa Rca, and several Of
his stan. AS. soon as a conference be-
tween General. Miles and President Nc
Kinley was ended, President Iglesias and
the only ones present at the conference.
which lasted two hours, a much longer
time than President Mckinley usually de-
votes to a single visitor. and was evidently
more of business visit than a socid,
meeting. Immediately following the con-
ference at the White House, President
state department, where they had quite
long. talk with Secretary Hay.
President 1glesias, call on Secretary Hay
lasted an hour. The, Costa Rican execu-
tive called to return the visit the secretary
of state made to him at his hotel the day
after his arrival here President Iglesas
presentation of the attitude of the govern
ment of Costa Rica in the matter of the
construction of the Nicaraguan canal. In
doing this he made use of several maps
and official documents which he brought
with him from his hotel for the purpose of
demonstrating the great natural interest
tion of that vast project.
The San Juan river. which is to form
Il large part of the Nicaragua canal sys-
TEN. lies. in its lower portion. between
Nicaragua and Costa Rica. and the Costa
Rican government claims that 1t has an
equal right with Nicaragua in any dispo-
This right was recognized formally by the
United States government in the drafting
of the celebrated Frelinghuysen treaty in
President Arthurs administration by Il
provision for the issue of Il certain amount
of bonds to Costa Rica. and in subsequent
bills considered by congress.
does not admit the validity of this claim
to consideration on the part of Costa Rica
and the government of the latter probably
was impeled to take steps to safeguard
its rights through the grant of the Cragin-
Eyre concession which ignored Costa Rica
entirely.
Secretary Hay had been giving the sub
ject earnest attention before he knew that
President 1glestaS was coming to Washing
ton. He has it in his power TO bring about
the recognition of the consolidation of the
three South American states. Nicaragua,
Honduras and Salvador into the republic
of Central America, and his action in this
matter would have some influence on the
value of the Cragin-Eyre concession, and.
as II secondary result. upon the Costa
Rican claim to consideration. Should he
decline to recognize the consolidation and
insist on holding the state Of Nicaragua
fully responsible for the acts of the inde-
pendent nation OF Nicaragua, the way
would be left open to insist on the binding
force of the concession of the present
Maritime Canal Company. and consequent
ly by implication. to reflect upon the value
of the new concession.
Not Speaking From Experience.
From the Chicago Post. .