The morning news., 1898-12-06

live cattle under due regulation of their
slaughter after landing. ] am hopeful 100.
OF favorable change ia the Belgian treat
ment of our preserved ana salted meats.
The growth Of direct trade between the
two countries. not alone for Belgian con-
sumption and Belgian products. but by
way OF transit from and to other CONT
mental states. has been both encoura ging
and beneficial. No effort will be spared 10
enlarge its advantages by seeking the re-
moval Of needless impediments and by ar
rangements for increased commercial ex-
changes
Affairs in Central America.
The years events in Central America
deserve more than passing mention
a mcnacing rupture between Costa Rica
and Nicaragua was happily composed by
the signature of convention between the
parties, with the concurrence of the Qua
temalan representative as a mediator, the
act being negotiated and signed on board
the United States steamer Alert then ly-
ing in Central American waters. Il is be
lieVed that the good offices of our envoy
and of the commander Of that vessel con-
tributed toward this gratifying outcome.
In my last annual message The situation
was presented with respect 20 the diplo-
matte representation Of this gover2ment
in Central America. created by the asso-
citation of Nicaragua, Honduras and Sal
Vador under the title of the Greater Re
public Of Central America and he delega-
tiou of their ,nterna tional functions 70 the
Diet thereof
While the representative character Of
the Diet was recognized by my predeces-
s0r, and has been confirmed during my ad-
ministration by receiving its accredited
envoy and granting eXequaures TO con-
suls commissioned under its authority that
recognition was qualified by the distinct
understanding that the responsibility of
each OF the component sovereign republics
towards the United States remained Who'll
~ unaffected This proyiso was needful,
inasmuch as the compact of the three re-
publics was at the outset an association
whereby certain representative functions
were delegated to a tripartite commission,
rather than a federation possessing cen
tralized powers of government and admin
istratiOn. IN this view of their relation
and of the relation of the United States
10 the several republics a change in the
representation of this country in Central
America was neither recommended by the
executive nor initiated by Congress; thus
,aVlng one OF our ENJOYS accredited Il.
heretofore separately to two states Of the
Greater Republic, Salvador and Nicaragua,
and to a third state, Costa Rica, which
was not a party TO the contract while
our other envoy was similarly accredited
to a union Stale-Honduras-and a nom
union state Guatemala. the result has
been that the one has presented credentials
only 20 the President of Costa Rica, the
other having been received only by the
government of Guatemala.
Subsequently, the three associated re-
publics entered into negotiations for TAX
ing the steps forecasted in the original
compact. A convention Of their delegates
framed for them a federal constitution
under the name of the United States OF
Central America and provided for a cen
trail federal government and legislature.
Upon ratification by the constituent states
the 1st of November last was fixed for the
new system 10 go into operation. Within
a few weeks thereafter the plan was
severely tested by revolutionary move
ments arising, with consequent demand
for unity Of action on the part of the mill
tary power of the federal states to sup
press them. Under this strain the new un-
ion seems 70 have been weakened through
the withdrawal of its more important
members.
This government was not officially ad-
vised Of the installation of the federation.
and has maintained an attitude of friend
ly expectancy. while in no wise reinquish-
ing the position held from the outset, that
toward US remained unaltered by their
tentative relations among themselves.
Canal COmmissIon's Work.
The Nicaragua Canal Commission, un-
der the Craftsmanship of Rear Admiral
Iohn G. Walker, appointed Juy "A, 1897,
under the authority of a provision in
the sundry civil act of June of that year
has nearly completed its labors, and the
of 1,
proper route. the feasibility and the cost
If construction of an inter-oceanic canal
by a Nicaraguan route, will be laid be-
fore you. In the performance of its task
che commss on received all possible cour-
tesy and assistance from the governments
Of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, which thus
testified their appreciation of the impor-
tance of giving a speedy and practical
outcome TO the great project that has for
so many years engrossed the attention
Of the respective countries.
AS the scope of the recent inquiry en-
oraced the whole subject with the aim of
making plans and surveys for a canal by
the most convenient route, IL necessarily
included review of the results of previ-
Gus surveys and pans, and in particular
those adopted by the Maritime Canal Com
pany under its existing concessions from
Nicaragua and Costa Rica, so that TO this
essential Il part in the deliberations and
conclusions of the canal commission as
they have held and must needs hold in
The discussion of the matter by the Con-
yress. Under these circumstances and in
view Of overtures made to the government
of Nicaragua and Costa Rca by other
parties for a new canal concession pred
icated on the assumed approaching lapse
of the contracts of the Maritime Canal
Company with those states. have not hes
itated to express my conviction that con-
sideratons Of eXpediency and International
policy as between the several governments
interested in the construction and con-
troll of an inter-oceanic canal by this
route required the maintenance of the
status quo until the canal commission
shall have reported that the United States
Congress shall have had the opportunity
TO pass finally upon the whole matter
during the present session without pref
udice by reason of any change in the ex-
sting conditions.
Nevertheless. il appears that the gov
erumeut of Nicaragua, as one of It's last
sovereign acts before merging its powers