Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-06

the Austro Hungarian Government,
which. on the assumption that the killing
and wounding involved the unjustitable
misuse of authority, claimed repafauon
for the sufferers. Apart frontthe search
ing investigation and teremptory action
Of tire authorities of Pennsylvania, the
Federal authorities took appropriate steps
to learn the merits Of the case, In order
TO be in a position TO meet the urgent
complaint of u friendly Power. The Sheriff
and his deputies, having been indicted for
murder, were tried and acquitted, efter
protracted proceedings and the hearing OF
hundreds of witnesses, on the ground that
the killing was in the line Of their official
duty to uphold law and preserve public
order in the State. A representative OF
the Department OF Justice attended the
trial and reported its course fully. With
all the facts in its possession, this gov
eminent expects TO reach harmonious
understanding on the subject with that of
Austria Hungary. Notwithstanding the re-
newed claim of the latter, after learning
the result of the trial, for indemnity for
its injured subjects.
BELGIAN EXPOSITION.
Despite the brief time allotted for pre-
paration the exhibits Of this country at
the Universal Exposition at Brussels in
1897 enjoyed the singular distinction Of a
larger proportion of awards, having re-
gard 10 the number and classes Of articles
entered, than those of other countries.
The worth of such a result in making
known our national capacity TO supply
the worlds markets is obvious. >"
] trust that the Belgian restrictions On
the importation OF cattle from the United
States, originally adopted as sanitary
precaution will at an early day be re-
laXed as to their present features Of hard
ship and discrimination, so as TO admit
live cattle under due regulation after
landing. | am hopeful too Of favorable
change in the Belgian treatment Of our
preserved and sailed meats.
The years events in Central America
are here mentioned by the President.
NICARAGUA CANAL.
The Nicaragua Canal Commission, UNI
der the chairmsnship Of Rear-Admiral
John q. Walker, appointed July q, 1884,
under the authority oil a provision in the
sundry civil act of June 4th of that year,
has nearly completed its labors, and the
results of its exhaustive inquiry into the
proper route, the feasibility, and the cost
OF construction OF an interoceanic canal
by a Nicaraguan route will be laid before
you. In the performance OF its task the
commission received all possible courtesy
and assistance from the governments OF
Nicaragua and Costa Rica, which thus
testified their appreciation of the import
ance Of giving speedy and practical out
come to the great project that has for so
many years eDsrossed the attention of
the respective countries.
AS the scope Of the recent inquiry en-
braced the whole subject with the aim
OF making plans and surveys for a canal
by the most convenient route, il necessa-
riy included a review of the results Of
previous surveys and plans. and in par
ticuar those adopted by the Maritime
Canal Company, under it's existing con-
cessions from Nicaragua and Costa Rica,
so that TO this extent those grants neces-
sarily hold as essential a part in the de
alterations and conclusions of the canal
commission as they have hello and must
needs hold in the discussion OF tho mat
ter by the Congress.
CONCESSION COMPLICATIONS
Under these circumstances. and in view
of overturss made TO the Government %
Nicaragua and Costa Rica by other par
ties for a new canal concession predicated
on the assumed approaching lapse OF the
contracts of the Maritime Canal Company
with those States, / have not hest ated
TO express my conviction that considera-
tons OF expediency and international
policy as between the several govern
ments interested in the construction and
control or an inter-oceanic canal by this
route, require the maintenance Of the
status quo until the canal commission
shall have reported, and the United States
Congress shall have had opportunity 90
pass finally upon the whole matter during
the present session. without prejudice by
reason Of any change in the existing con-
ditions.
Nevertheless. 1t appears that the Gov
eminent OF Nicaragua, as one OF its last
sovereign acts before merging It's powers
In those OF the newiy-iormed United
States of Central America (since dis
solyed-Ed). has granted an optional con
cession TO another association. TO become
effective on the expiration OF the present
grant Ii does not appear what surveys
have been made or what route Is proposed
under this contingent grant, so that an
examinat ton of the feasibility OF its plans
Is necessarily not embraced In the report
OF the canal commission
All these circumstances suggest the
urgency OF some definite action by the
Congress at this session, II the la0ors OF
the past are TO be utilized. and the link
ing OF the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by
a practical waterway is 10 be realized
THAT the construction OF such maritime
highway Is now moro than ever lndispen-
s.hle 10 that intimate and ready inter
communication between our Eastern and
Western seaboards demanded by the an.
nexation OF the Hawaiian Islands. ans