The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-03
GOVERNMENT TAKES 1T UP.
Will demonstrate Against New Mic
aragua Canal Concession.

aragua Canal Concession.
New York, Nov. IA special dis
patch to the Herald from Washington
says:
Action has been taken by the admin
istration looking to the maintenance of
the status quo with respect to the con-
cession of the Maritime Canal company
for the construction of the Nicaraguan
canal.
Secretary Hay has cabled instruc-
lions to Minister Merry under which,
through Consul Donaldson at Managua,
circumstances will be lodged with Pres
ident Zelaya against the concession his
government has awarded to MeSsrS.
American syndicate, for the construc-
ton of the canal upon the expiration of
the contract held by the Maritime COM
pany.
Information in the possession of the
authorities is of a very meager char
acter, due to the fact that all informa-
ton received from Minister Merry has
been by cable and he has been unable
to send the text of the agreement en-
tered into with Messrs. Eyre and era gin.
Although it has been reported that the
Nicaraguan congress has ratified the
provisional agreement submitted to
it by the president, the authorities are
hopeful of preventing final approval be-
ing given.
Results OF the call Consul Donaldson
will make upon President Zelaya can
not be fOrecasted by the officials, but
in some circles it is not believed it will
have any important effect. The presi-
dent and members of his cabinet are of
the opinion that the new syndicate has
not entered into the agreement with
the Nicaraguan government to build
the canal, but to make a deal with the
Maritime Canal company, under which
the syndicate will receive a certain sum
for its rights.
So far as the administration is con-
cerned. its objection to a transfer Of the
concession at this time lies in the bad
effect it will have upon congress, which
would hesitate to vote the government
aid so necessary to the construction of
the canal
Private enterprises will never build
that great waterway" said an official
last night. "A government will have to
build it, and that government will be
the United States. So far as the ad-
miniStratiOn is concerned it is not a
question of what company has a con-
tract, but the president is pledged to
the construction of the canal. He be-
lieves it to be a necessity and he there
fore desires that the status quo be
maintained, in order that when the sub
ject is discussed by congress no unnec-
essary complications may exist which
could be used to the disadvantage of the
proposition for the government to build
the canal. Authorities are gratified
at President Zelaya's announcement
that the concession of the Maritime
company will not expire until October
8. 1899, and it is intended that every
effort shall be directed to secure the
passage by congress of one of the meas
ures providing for government aid in
the construction of the waterway.
When last year the department learn
ed that the Nicaraguan government
was considering the advisability of de-
claring the Maritime company's conces-
sion forfeited, an instruction was sent
to Mr.. Baker, then United States min
lister at Managu directing him to ''in-
terpose discreet remonstrances for pro-
lection of rights of this American cor
poration."
President ZeIaya assured Mr.. Baker
that no such intention existed, and that
he proposed to act in absolute good
faith toward the Maritime company
and the United States. Minister Baker
thus closes a memorandum which he
prepared for President Zelaya the day
following the knterview he had with
him:
I'm conclusion, will express my gra-
tification at the whole tone of friendli-
ness toward the prosecution of the canal
enterprise under American auspices
which characterized your conversation
with me yesterday, and especially for
the personal assurance you were pleas
ed to give me that the franchise of the
Maritime Canal company would not be
interfered with by the Nicara guam gov
eminent until it lapses by its own lin
itation in October, 1899, unless, to use
your own words, the government Of the
United States may desire to make
contract direct with this government to
build the canal itself
The canal complication is tangled up
with the entrances of the greater repub-
lie of Central America upon the second
stage of it's existence, which occurred
yesterday. The republic has now been
in existence for two years, having had
it's foundation affairs managed by wnat
is termed a "diet," which the United
States tacitly recognized by receiving
minister whom it accredited here.
The department will now be called
upon to determine whether the greater
republic shall be given full recognition,
but as it opposed the dispatch of Min
lister Merry to Central America, and
has further, it has been charged, exert
ed it's influence to procure the construc-
ton of the canal by Great Britain rath-
er than by the United States, it is doubt
full if Minister Merry will be accredited
to it, for the present, at least.
Before such action could be taken
congress would have to specifically
make an appropriation for according
a minister to Nicaragua Senator Nor
gan has violently opposed such action,
and the authorities have no reason to
believe he will change his attitude.