The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-04

ter, due to the fact that eli informa-
ton received from Minister Merry has
been by cable. and he has been unable
to send the text of the agreement enter
ed into with Messrs. Eyre and Cragin.
Although IL has been reported that the
NicaraSuan has ratifed the
provisional agreement" submitted to II
by the president. the authorities are
hopeful OF preventing fnal approval
being given.
Results of the call Consul Donaldson
will make upon President Zelaya can
not be forecasted by the oficials. but in
some circles IL IL not believed IL will
have n important eject. The presi-
dent and members OF his cabinet are
of the opinion that the new syndicate
has not entered into the agreement with
the Nicaraguan government to build
the canal. but to make Q deal with
the Maritime Canal company. under
which the syndicate will receive q GER
tain sum for its rights.
So far ~ the administration II con-
cerned. Its objection to . transfer OF
h concession lies In h bad effect II
will have upon congress. which would
hesitate TO vote the government aid 30
necessary to the construction Of the ca
nal.
Private enterprises win never build
that great waterway" said an Official
last night. "A government will nave to
build IL. and that government will be
the United States. So far as this admin
~istration In concerned. IL In not a ques-
ton of what company has the contract.
but the president N pledged to the con-
struction of the canal He believes II to
be a necessity. and he. therefore. desires
that the status quo be maintained. In
order that when the subject IL discuss
ed by congress on unnecessary applica-
ftAnQ NAV aNiQt WhfCh cnnld ha uScd
to the disadvantage Of h proposition
for the government to build h canal"
Authorities are gratiied at President
Zelaya's announcement that the con-
cession of the Maritime Canal company
will not expire until October Is. 1899.
and II In intended that every effort shall
be directed to secure the passage by
congress OF one OF the measures pro-
viding for government aid In the con-
struction of the waterway.
When last year the department learn
ed that the N~icaraguan government was
considering the ~advisability of declaring
the Maritime company concession for
feited. an instruction was sent to Mr..
Baker. then United States minister at
Managua. directing him to ''interpose
discreet circumstances for protection of
the rights Of the American corpora-
tion."
President Zelaya urged Mr.. Baker
that no such Intention existed and that
he proposed to act In absolute good
faith toward the Maritime company,
and United States Minister Baker thus
closes a memorandum. which he pre-
pared for President Zelaya the day fol-
lowing the interview he had with him.:
In conclusion, I will express my
qualification at the whole tone OF friend
illness oward the prosecution of the ca
nal enterprise under American auspices,
which characterized you conversation
with me yesterday. and especially for
the personal assurance you were pleas
ed to give me that the franchise Of the
Maritime Canal company would not be
interfered with by the N~icaraguan gov
eminent until Il lapses by Its own linn
itation in October, 1899. unless, to use
your own words. the government OF the
United States may desire to make a
contract direct with this government
to build the canal itself
TIL canal complication Ii tangled up
with the entrance of the greater repub-
lie of Central America upon the second
stage of its existence, which occurred
yesterday. The republic has now been
in existence for two years. having had
its foreign affairs managed by what Is
termed a diet" which the United
States tacitly recognized by receiving q
minister whom II accredited here.
The department will now be called
upon to determine whether h greater
republic shall be given full recognition,
but as IL opposed the dispatch OF Min
lister Merry to Central America. and has
further, 1t has been charged. exerted its
influence to procure the construction OF
the canal by Great Britain rather than
by the United States, II Is doubtful III
Minister Merry will be accredited to II,
for the present at least.
RpfOrp such action cOuld be taken,
q would have to specially make
an appropriation for crediting a minis
ter to the greater republic. Senator
Morgan has violently opposed such ac-
ton, and the authorities ave no reason
TO believe he will change his attitude.