The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-08

OF the new report the seriousness OF the
situation. saving on this point: The ser-
ions consequences likely to result 20 the
United States from the unprecedented and
unwarranted action OF the late govern
ment OF Nicaragua and the evident pur-
pose 10 force oar government into pay
ment OF large sum as compensation for
the future consent of the republic o. the
United States Of Central America TO the
creation Of maritime canal through the
San Juan river and Lake Nicaragua, re-
Quires the committee TO present the
grounds on which IL insists that this pro-
ceeding is without any supper. In law.
justice and equity and that ii violates the
hitherto cordial relations OF the United
States With Nicaragua
Costa Rica Has Equal Rights.
The report takes Issue with the sonten-
tion of Nicaragua that that country owns
both banks of the Sa Juan river calling
attention TO the fact that Costa Rica has
equal rights since the arbitration Of Pres
ident Cleveland, as the owner OF one bank
OF the stream. Attention is called TO the
fact that in making the concession OF
right-of-way granted by Nicaragua no
mention was made of Nicaragua's claim.
rendering IL incumbent upon Nicaragua to
put the canal company in possession OF
committee says, was q breach OF the
the channel Of the river. Here" the
agreement for which the canal company
had paid $l5N.oo0 and that entitled the
company to the return OF the money and
TO other damages. 1t also imposed upon
the United States the duty of compelling
ha ra1r d,,a hAp No
sought
1t Is asserted that In view of the fac.
that Nicaragua had made the concession
1t was his duty to obtain concession
from the Costa Rica government when the
claims of that country are established,
but instead of that 1t is pointed out that
Nicaragua made formal threat TO re-
nounce Its concession. X any concession
was obtained from Costa Rica-
Thus" the committee concludes, by
conduct equivalent to main force Nicara-
qua prevented progress in the work on the
canal and put a cloud upon the credit of
the company of construction that could
not be otherwise than disastrous" The
committee contends that the circum-
stances of the concession point to the fact
that the concession provides for a charter
to be granted to the United States
I'm this attitude" the committee con-
tinues, 1.-The duties and responsibilities Of
Nicaragua are very high If they do not
even rise to the dignity of solemn Pledges
and consequent and sovereign responsible
ties to the United States. whose interven-
ton is sought in the chartering of the
corporation"
1t Is then set forth that Costa Rica's
interests in the canal are as great as those
OF Nicaragua. "and it follows that the
action OF both republics is essential to the
assertion of the right OF either to claim
a forfeiture of the concession. II Nieara-
qua claims that the concession IL has
granted Is forfeited Costa Rica has the
equal right to assert that it is not for
feited."
United States Consent Necessary.
1t is then set forth that the United
States is a party to the measure of
building the canal at the instance of both
countries and IL II claimed that the con-
sent of this country Is also necessary to
any proceeding on the part OF Costa Rica
looking to the forfeiture OF the concession
Nicaragua" the committee asserts.
k-- II.