The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-06

by the executive nor initiated by con-
gress. thus leaving one OF a ENJOYS
accredited. as heretofore. separately to
two states OF the greater republic.
Nicaragua and Salvador. and to a
third state. Costa Rica. which was not
a party to the compact. while our en-
voy was similarly accredited to the
union stated as Honduras. and a non
union stated as Guatemala. The re-
suit has been that one has been pre-
scented credentials only to 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
making the steps forecast In the orig
inal compact. A convention of their
delegates framed for them a federal
constitution under the name of the
United States Of Central America
and providing for a central federal
government n legislature. Upon rat
ihcation by constituent states, the
LIST OF November last was fixed for the
new system TO 40 into operation. With
In a few weeks thereafter the plan was
severely tested by revolutionary move
ments arising. with a consequent de-
mand for unity of action on the part Of
h military power of the federal states
to suppress them. Under this strain
the new system seems to be weakened
through the withdrawal OF its more i'm
portant members. This was
not officially advised for the installa-
ton of the federation and has main
tanned an attitude of friendly expec-
fancy, while in no wise ~relinquishing
the position held from the outset that
h responsibilities of the several states
toward us remained unaltered by their
tentative relations among themselves.
The N~icaraguan Canal.
The Nicaraguan canal commission
under the craftsmanship Of Rear Ad-
miral John G. Walker. appointed July
"a, 1897. under the authority OF a pro-
vision in the sundry civil act of June
4 of that year. has nearly completed
its labors and the results of its exhaus-
tive inquiry into the proper route. the
feasibility and the cost OF construction
of an ~fnter-oceanic canal bv a Nicara-
guam route. will be laid before you. In
the performance of its work. the COM
mission received all possible courtesy
and assistance from the governm,n ts
of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. which
thus testified their appreciation OF the
Importance of giving a speedy n
practical outcome to the project that
has for some years engrossed the at
tention of the respective countries.
AS the scope OF recent inquiry en-
braced the whole subject with the aim
of making plans and surveys for a
canal by the most convenient route. IL
necessarily included a review Of the
results of previous surveys and plans.
and In particular those adopted by the
Maritime Canal company under its ex-
listing concessions from Nicaragua and
Costa Rica. so that to this extent these
grants necessarily held an essential
part in the deliberations and conclus-
ions of the anal commission. as they
have held and must needs hold in the
discussion Of the matter by congress.
Under these circumstances. and In
view of overtures made to the govern
ments of Nicaragua and Costa RIGA
by other parties for a new canal con-
c~ession. pr~edicated on the assumed APP
preaching lapse of the contracts OF the
Maritime Canal company with those
states, I have not hesitated to express
my conviction that considerations OF
expediency n International policy. as
between the several governments inter
ested In the construction and control OF
an inter-oceanic canal by this route re-
quire The maintenance Of the status
quo until the canal commission shall
nave reported. and the United States
congress shall have had the emporium
ity 10 pass finally upon the whole mat
ter during the present session without
prejudice by reason Of any change i'm
the existing conditions.
Nevertheless. II appears that the
EpNtFnT1tnt OF NlFdfdgub. as one OF us
last sovereign acts before merging its
powers in those Of the newly formed
United States Of Central America. has
granted an Optional concession to
another association To become effective
on the expiration Of he present grant.
" does not appear that surveys have
been made. or what route Is proposed
under this contingent granted. so that
an examination Of tho feasibility Of its
plans Is necessarily not embraced in
the report Of the canal commission. All
these circumstances suggest the ur-
gency of some definite action by the
congress at this session. IL the labors
Of the past are To he utilized and the
linking Of the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans by a practical waterway Is to be
realized. That the construction OF such
n maritime highway Is now more than
ever indispensable to that intimate and
ready inter-communication between
eastern and western seaboards de-
manded by the annexation OF the Ha-
waiian islands. and the prospective
expansion of our influence and com
merce TO the Pacific, and that our nat
ional policy now more imperativelv
han ever calls for Its control by this
government. are propositions which 7
doubt not the congress will duly ap-
preciate and wisely act pon
A convention providing for the re-
vival of the Chilean claims commission
and the consideration Of the claims
which were duly presented to the late
commission. but not considered because
of the expiration OF the time limited for
the duration OF the commission. was
signed MAY ~. 1897. and has re-
manned Enacted upon by the SEN
ate. The term therein ixed for
effecting the examining of ratif-
cations having lapsed. the con
vention falls unless the time he ex-
tended by amendment. which 7 am en-
deavoring to bring about. with the
friendly concurrence Of the Chilean
government.
Affairs I'm the Orient.
The United States has not been an
indifferent spectator of the extraordin-
airy events transpirine in the Chinese
Empire. whereby portions of its mari
time provinces are passing under the
control of various European powers;
but the prospect that the vast COM