The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-27
SENIOR IGLESIAS TALKS
PRESIDENT OF COSTA RIGA CONFERS
WITH PRESIDENT M'KINLEY,
Visits the state Department. and Ex-
plains mis COuntry's Attitude To-
wards the Nicaragua Canal.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26-President Nc
Kinley had an extended conference with
President Iglesias, OF Costa Rica, to-day.
President Iglesias was accompanied to the
White House by Mr.. Calvo, of Costa Rica,
and several of his staff. AS soon as a con-
ference between General Miles and Pres
ideut Mckinley was ended President lyle
sias and Mr. Calvo were admitted. They
We're the only ones present at the confer
ence. which lasted two hours, a much long
er time than President Mckinley usually de-
votes to a single visitor, and was evidently
more of a business meeting than a social
one. Immediately following the conference
at the White House President Iglesias and
Mr.. Calvo went to the State Department,
where they had quite a long talk with Sec
rotary Hay.
President Iglesias improved the opportu-
nifty during his call on Secretary Hay TO
make a full presentation of the attitude of
the government of Costa Rica in the matter
CT construction of the Nicaraguan canal. In
doing this he made use of several maps and
official documents which he brought with
him from his hotel for the purpose of DEM
onstrating the great natural interest his
country had in the successful completion of
that vast project The San Juan river,
qua canal system, lies, in its lower portion,
between Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and
the Costa Rican government claims that it
has an equal right with Nicaragua in any
disposition that may be made Of this stream.
This right was recognized formally by the
United States government in the drafting
of the celebrated Frelinghuysen treaty in
president Arthurs administration, by a pro-
vision for the issue OF a certain amount of
bonds TO Costa Rica and in subsequent bills
considered by Congress.
The Nicaraguan government, however,
does not admit the validity of this claim TO
consideration on the part of Costa RIGA,
and the government of the latter was prob
ably impelled to take steps TO safeguard its
rights through the grant OF the Cragln-
Frye concession, which ignored Costa RIGA
entirely. Secretary Hay had been giving
the subject earnest attention before he knew
that President Iglesias was coming TO
Washington. He has it In his power TO
bring about the recognition of the consot-
dalton of the three South American States,
Nicaragua, Honduras and Salvador, into the
republic Of Central America, and his action
IN this matter would have some influence on
the value Of the Cragin-Erye concession.
and, as a secondary result, upon the Costa
Rican claim TO consideration. Should he
decline TO recognize the consolidation and
insist on holding the State of Nicaragua
fully responsible for the acts of the indie
pendent nation of Nicaragua, the way would
be left open To insist ON the binding force
Of the concession of the present Maritime
Canal Company, and consequently by inn
phcatiOn, TO reflect upon the value OF the
new concession.
President IgIesias to-day received a repre-
sentative of the Associated Press and in an
informal way talked for publication Of the
impressions he had formed Of the country
ana of some of the purposes of his visit
Naturally l am very deeply grained at
the, reception given me by your government I,t
upon il not so much as a tribute to myself
as an evidence of that good Will which the
great republic of the north has for all the
republics of South and Central America.
We have long appreciated the cordial1ty
and sympathy which this government has
shown towards US. and il has led us to look
90 this strong and stable government as
guide, an inspiration, and most of all as
true and stalwart friend Your president
has gwen many evidences OF TINS sincere
bond of friendship TO the presidents OF the
other republics. Hut l am glad TO see from
my own personal observation now strong
this bond is between the governments and
people of all the Americas-North, South
and Central. OF your country can only
] have had some opportunity to see the eX-
tent and beauty of your pubic buildings,
IuIdfieS ana arr SantIISS, "a Ven 49, % sOo III
great commercial houses, ana they nave al
impressed me as characteristic OF that IN
huenco which the United States is exert1ng
the affairs OF the world am ahAous
To visit the schools, the hospitals and char
liable institutions to see how In these llnes,
as in all others, this country is giving spleh-
have already seen enough to assure me that
the great Northern Republic is advancing
I'm AN the branches of industry. science, art
aud education which goes to make up CIVIL
cation"
Following this general tribute. President
Iglesas was asked as to the interest OF
Costa Rico in the interoceanic canal. OI
course, country feels great llIeFeSt
in any waterway which crosses Central
America and brings together the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans" he said. I'VE are so
placed, Geographically. that we are praeu.
Cally the center of the world and OF the
worlds commerce. for Costa Rico is mid
way between Europe on the east ana ASH, ASIA
on the west. and midway between Nortn
America and South America 1t would De
difficult to find a country so faVoraply 10
Gated by nature as a center for the WORLDS
commerce. Besides this geographical aa-
vantage, we have the advantages OF sou
and climate We are without extremes or
heat and cold. the variations OF tempera-
ture being very slight. The country Is nat
urally rich with a quiet and prosperous
pcopl, and is awaiting capital and iapor 70
develop it, although II needs immigration
and strong hands more than anything else.
Nith these conditions prevailing the buIo-