The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-06
Isthmiau Canals,

| NICARAGUA COMMISSION.
The Nicaragua canal commission, under
| the craftsmanship of Rear Admiral John
q. Walker, appointed July "a, 1891. under
the authority OF provision in the sundry
civil act of June 4, 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 inter-oceanic canal by a Nicaraguan
route, will be laid before you.
In performance of its task. the commits
sion received all possible courtesy and as
sistance from the governments of Mica
ragua and Costa Rica, which thus testified
their appreciation Of the Importance OF
giving a speedy and practical outcome TO
the great project that has for so many
years engrossed the attention OF the re-
s2ective countries.
ADVISES THE STATUS QUO.
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 II is necessarily
included A review OF the results OF pre-
vious surveys and plans. and in particular
those adopted by the Maritime Canal COM
pany under It's existing concessions from
Nicaragua and Costa Rica, so thata to this
extent those grants necessarily held an es-
sential part in the delIbera lions and con-
illusions Of the canal commission, IS they
have held and must needs hold in the dis
cussion OF the matter BY the congress.
Under these circumstances, and in view Of
overtures made 70 the governments OF
Nicaragua and Costa Rica by other par
ties for new canal concession. predicsted
on the assumed approaching lapse Of the
contracts Of the Maritime Canal company
with those states. have not hesitated 10
express my conviction that considerations
Of expediency and international policy. a.
between the several governments interest
ed in IN construction and control OF an
intr-ocesuic canal b. this route. require
the maintenance OF the status quo until
the canal commission shall have reported
and the United States congress shall have
had the opportunity 70 pass finally upon
the whole matter during the present ses-
sion, without prejudice by reason OF any
change in the existing conditions
AN INTERLOPER CONCERN.
Never sne,ess. Il appears that the gov
eminent % Nicaragua. as one o. ia last
sovereign acts before merging is powers
into me newly formed United States or
Central America has granted an optional
concession 20 another association. 10 BE-
come effective on the expiration 81 The
present concession. T. does not appear
what surveys have been made or wha-
route = proposed unde- thls cont agent
granted. so that an examination o. The
feasibility q its plans is necessarily nos
embraced In TIE report 81 The cana. en-
mission
Al these circ1n1s -suces suggest ths
urgency % some definite acton o. tae
Congress s.; t.is session y the labo-s q
the past are 20 h4 urllze5 saa the Ink
i1E CT re Atlantic and Pacssc oceans by
a practical waterway g. 20 BE- r.zEzed-
That to- construction % s8eh a mar
tine highway = more taan ever l1sis-
penssals - 1has intimate and ready .rlsr-
o3mu1u-ic ari8u between or eastern sea-
'poards demanded ~ ere azaaxa-i.- ~
The Hawaiian lsizuls ard ere prospective
expansion ~ our ilnuerce ard ces--1ercs
% ne Psc.Gc and traf or "a fa11- ros-
icy BOX more lrperatiFe.r rla1 ever ce s
fer - control - ras g7sera@elt. are
f-spo-I ors sirr t- COS -r- rar-
Er-ss ~lI Gals aafr.esse 4al zat
up3a-