The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-06
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
International Policy Requires the
Maintainencc OF the Status Quo.


Maintainencc OF the Status Quo.
The Nicaragua canal commission under
the craftsmanship Of Rear-Admiral John
q. Walker. appointed July q. 1897. under
the authority of provision in the sun
dry civil act OF June 4th OF that year has
nearly completed it's labors, and the re-
suits of its exhaustive inquiry into the
proper route, the feasibility and the cost
Of construction of an inter-oceanic canal
by a Nicaraguan route Will be laid before
you. In the performance OF its task the
commission received all possible courtesy
and assistance from the governments OF
Nicaragua and Costa Rica. which thus
testified their appreciation Of the impor-
lance 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-
braced the whole subject with the aim of
making plans and surveys for a canal by
the most convenient route. 1t necessarily
included a review Of the results of pre-
vious surveys and plans and in particu-
lar those adopted by the Maritime Canal
Company under it's existing concessions
from Nicaragua and Costa Rica, so that
10 this extent those grants necessarily
hold as essential a part in the delibera-
tons and conclusions Of the canal com
mission as they have held and must needs
hold in the discussion Of the matter by
the Congress.
sHOULD- MAINTAIN STATUS QUO.
Under these circumstances and IN view
Of overtures made 10 the government OF
Nicaragua and Costa. Rico by other par
ties for 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 conviction that
considerations Of expcdiency and inter
national policy as between the several
governu ents interested in the construc-
ton and control of an inter-octanic canal
by this route require the maintenance or
the status quo until the canal commits
sion shall have reported and the United
States Congress shall have had the OPP
portunity to pass finally upon the whole
matter during the present session. with
out prejudice by reason Of any change
in the existing conditions.
OPTIONAL CONCESSIONS
Nevertheless it appears that the gov
eminent of Nicaragua as one of the last
sovereign acts before merging its powers
I'm those OF the newly formed United
States Of Central America granted an
optional concession TO another associ1-
ton TO becC me effective on the expiration
of tho present grant. II docs not appear
what 81 rveys have been made or what
route il propc sed under this contingent
grant 50 that an examination or the lea
sibility of it's plans is necess arily not en-
braced I'm the report OF the canal COM
mission. All these circumstances suggest
the urgency of some definite action by
the Ccrlress at this session II the labors
of the past are TO be utilized and the
linking of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
bv a practical waterway IS 70 be realized.
CANAL INDISPENSABLE.
That the construction OF such a mari
time highway is now more than ever IN
dispensable TO that intimate and ready in
accommodation between our Eastern
and Western seaboards demanded by the
annexation OF the Hawaiian Islands and
the prospective expansion Of our infu-
ence and commerce I'm the Pacific. and
that our national policy now more i'm
peratively than ever calls for its con-
troll by this government are propositions
which doubt not the Congress will duly
appreciate and wisely act upon.
A convention providing for the re-
vival OF the late United States and Chilean
Commission, and the consideration OF
the claims which were duly presented 20
the late commission, but not considered
before the expiration Of the time limited
for the duration of the commission. was
signed May "a. 1897. and has remained un-
acted upon by the Senate. The term
therein fixed for effecting the exchange Of
Publications having elapsed. the conven-
ton fails unless the time be extended by
amendment. which am endeavoring 10
bring about with the friendly concur
renee OF the Chilean Government
THE CHINESE SITUATION.
The United States has not been an In
different spectator OF the extraordinary
events transpirng in the Chinese Empire.
whereby portions of IT'S maritime pro-
vinces are passing under the control of
various European powers. but the pros
pect that the vast commerce which the
energy Of our citizens and the necessity
OF our staple productions for Chinese
uses has built up ia these regions RAY
not DE prejudiced through any exclusive
treatment by the new occupants. has
obviated the need Of our country becom-
ing an actor In the scene.
Our position among nations having
large Pacific coast and a constantly e1-
panding direct trade with the farther
Orient, gives us the equitable claim TO
consideration and friendly treatment in
this regard, and It's Will be my aim 10
subserye our large interests in that quar-
ter by all means appropriate to the
constant policy OF our Government.
AN OPEN DOOR
The territories OF Klao Chow. OF Wei
HaifWei. and OF Port Arthur and TIA Tien
Wan, leased to Germany. Great. Britain
and Russia, respectively. for terms OF
years will. II Is announced. be open 10
international commerce during such alien
occupation, and IL no discriminating
treatment OF American citizens and their
trade he found to exist or be hereafter
developed. the desire OF this Government
would appear TO be realized.
In this relation. as showing the volume
and value OF our exchanges with China.
and the peculiarly favorable conditions
which exist for their expansion In the
normal course OF trade. I refer to the
communication Addressed to me Speaker
OF the House Of Representatives BY the
Secretary OF the Treasury on the 18th OF
last June. with Its accompanying letter
OF the Secretary OF State. recommending
an appropriation for a commission to