The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-09
ANNUAL MESSAGE.
Continued From Sixth Page

state, costa INlCd, "hi'i ""o
ty to the compact, while our otner en-
yoy was similarly accredited TO a un-
ion state (Honduras-and a non-uhlon
state (Guatamala.) The result mas Deen
that the one has presented credentials
only to the president of Costa Rica, the
other having been received only by the
government of Guatemala.
subsequently,, the three associated
republics entered into negotiations for
taking the steps forecasted in the orig
inaI 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 central federal govern
ment and legislature. Upon ratihca-
ton by the constituent states NOvem-
Der 1st last was fixed for the new sys-
tenn to go into operation. Within a few
weeks thereafter the plan was severely
tested by revolutionary movements
arising, with a consequent demand for
unity Of action on the part Of the mill
tary power of the federal states to
suppress them. Under this strain, the
new union seems to have been weaken
ed through the withdrawal Of it's more
important members.
This government was not officially
advised Of the installation OF the fed
GRAFTON and has maintained an atti-
tude Of friendly expectancy. while in
no wise ~relinquishing the position held
from the outset that the responsibility
ties Of the several states toward Us
remained unaItered by their tentative
relations among themselves.
THE NICARAGUAN CANAL.
"The Nicaragua canal commission,
under the craftsmanship of Rear Adj
miral John G.. Walker, appointed July
"a. 1897. under the authority of a pro-
vision in the sundry civil act of June
4th of that year, has nearly completed
its labOrs, and the results Of its ex-
haustive inquiry into the proper route,
the feasibility and the cost of cOnstruc-
tion Of All inter-ocean1c canal by a
Nicaraguan route will be aid before
you. In the performance of it's task
the commission received all possible
courtesy and assistance from the gov
ernments of Nicaragua and Costa
Rica, which thu testified their appre-
citation 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
respective countries.
LAS the scope Of the recent inquiry
embraced the whole subject with the
aim Of making plans and surveys for a
canal by the most convenient route it
necessarily included a review of the
results of previous surveys and plans,
and in particular those adopted by the
Maritime Canal Company under its
existing concessions from Nicaragua
Lii+A CDDNt INl'"I ~ NlIoI ~ Ills l
those grants necessarily hold as es-
sential 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
congress. Under these circumstances
and in view of overtures made
to the governments of Mica
ragua and Costa Plea by other par
ties for a new canal concession predi-
Gated on the assumed approaching
lapse of the contracts of the Maritime
Canal Company with those states, |
have not hesitated to express my con-
VictiOn that considerations of expedi-
ency and International policy as be-
tween the several governments inter
eSted in the construction and control
of an inter-Oceanic canal by 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 OppOrtuni-
ty to pass finally upon the whole mat
ter during the present session. with
out prejudice by reason of any chang
in the existing conditions.
Nevertheless it appears that the
government of Nicaragua. as one
Of the last sovereign acts be-
fore merging it's powers in
those of the newly formed United
states of Central America, has grant
ed an optional concession to another
association. to become effective on the
expiration of the present grant. L
does not appear what surveys have
been made or what route is proposed
under this contingent grant, so that ar
examination of the feasibility of it,
plans is necessarily not embraced il
the report of the canal commission. Al
these circumstances suggest the ur
gnrCy of some definite action by tn.
congress at this session if the labor:
Of the past are to be utilized and tn
linking of the Atlantic and the Pacif,
oceans by a practical waterway is t
be realized. That the construction o
such a maritime highway is now NOR
than ever indispensable to that init
mate and ready inter-cOmmunicati3 l
between our eastern and western see
boards demanded by the annexation o
the Hawaiian islands and the prOspec
> tive expansion of our influence anc
in the Pacific. and that on
national policy now more imperativpl.
than ever calls for it's control by thi
government. are propositions which
doubt not the congress will duly ap
p~reciate and wisely act upon.
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
The United States has not been a
Indifferent spectator of the extraOrd
nary events transporting in the Chimes
empire, whereby portions Of it's mari
time provinces are passing under tn
control Of various European powers
but the prospect that the vast com
merCe which the energy of our citizen
and the necessity of our staple prOduC
tiOns for Chinese uses has built up i
these regions will not be prejudice
through any exclusive treatment b
the new occupants has ObViated tn
need of our country becoming an &C
tor in the scene. Our position anon
nations, having a large Pacific cOas
and a constantly expanding direct trad
with the farther Orient, gives us til
equitable claim to consideration an
friendly treatment in this regard. an
it will be my aim to subserve OF
large interests in that quarter by a
means appropriate to the constant pO
icy Of our government. The terr;tori,
of KiaO Chow, of Wei Hal Wei and