The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-11-02
BUILDING OF NICARAGUA
CANAL VERY PROBABLE.
Tho Central American States VIII AID
in Its Construction as soon as Con-
tract With Maritime Co. Expires.

NEW YORK. Nov. LA dispatch 10
tho Herald from Washington says:
There appears 10 have been good rea-
son for the prompt action Of the Near
aguan congress in ratlfying the new
agreement entered into between Presi-
dent Zelaya and Messrs. Eyre and cra-
Vin for the Nlcaraguan canal concession.
Nicaragua win cease today 20 exist az
republic and any future action respect
Ing foreign concessions will have to be
taken by tho UNITED States Of Central
America" comprising what will hereaf-
tor be known as the states OF Honduras,
Any further negotiations between the
United States government In regard TO
the Nlcaraguan canal will therefore have
10 bo with this new republic. The recent
activity Of Messrs. Eyre and Cragin In
securing the agreement with L4e presi-
dent OF Nicaragua and the promptness
displayed by the Nicaraguan congress
in ratifying the administration can there
fore be well understood.
As understood here these gentlemen
have not actually obtained the conces-
sion for building tho canal-thls is not
admissible under the present terms OF
the contract with the Maritime Canal
company-but an option. which gives
them the right to construct the canal
whe- the contract now held by the Mari
time Canal Company lapses. But what
ever may be the technical name for the
agreement which has been recently en-
tered into. there seems little doubt that
Messrs. Eyre and Cragin have obtained
from the Nicaraguan government an i'm
portant and valuable privilege which will
have - be considered when the time
comes for the United States government
10 take hold OF the project.
After today the national and inter-
national affairs OF Nicaragua, Honduras
and Salvador will be conducted by
provisional government This govern
menf viii be inaugurated today and will
be located at Amapala, Honduras.
In accordance with the new constitu-
ton recently agreed upon by the three
Countries. a provisional government COM
prislng a delegate from each OF the three
state 20 sit at the point named. Is to
have control OF all national and inter-
national affairs until March Is next when
a president OF 'Estados Unidos de Cen
tro America" Is to be elected. The del
egates from the three countries which
will hereafter be known as states are
DR.. Callago. Salvador. Dr. Coronel. Ma
tus. Nicaragua and Dr. Ugarte, Hon
duras. The presidents respectively Of
Honduras. Salvador and Nicaragua will
hereafter be known as governors and
congresses will become legislatures, as
with our own states.
The granting OF another company the
right to build the Nicaraguan canal
provided the contract now held by the
Maritime Canal Company lapses as a
result OF failure to carry out It's terms,
Nicaragua has greatly embarrassed the
administration.
Through minister Merry. stationed at
san Jose. and the American consul at
Managua. the authorities have learned
OF the presentation Of the agreement
entered into by him with Messrs. Eyre
and Cragin to the Nicaraguan legislature
and OF the resulting developments. No
details. however. have yet come officially.
The embarrassment OF the administra-
tloa Hes in the fact that Il has indorsed
the project OF the Maritime Canal Com
pany and that bills are now pending in
congress providing government aid in the
construction OF the canal. one OF which
II is expected viii pass during the coming
session.
From the way the authorities talk. It
is evident to their minds that the new
company interested In the canal has
simply come in and complicated the situ-
alton and one Of the officials said that
he believed 1t could be brought out and
that It was to obtain such o result that
Il negotiated the agreement it had made
with the Nlcaraguan government, Ar
tlcle IS OF the concessions given to the
Nicaraguan Canal Company provides
that II at the expiration OF ten years
"The work shall not be completed so as
to have the maritime communication be-
tween the two oceans opened, in con-
slderation OF the great capital the COM
pany may have invested in the enter
prise and OF the good will and ability
It may have shown and the difficulties
encountered. the republic binds itself to
concede a new extension.
Furthermore the contract provides that
"The state binds itself to make any sub
sequent concession for the opening Of
the canal between the two oceans during
the terms of the present concessions"