The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-12-09
,or taking the steps forecasted in the orig

for taking the steps forecasted In the orig
inal compact.
convention of their delegates framed
for them a federal constitution under the
name of the United States OF Centrai
America ard proviti for central feoerai
government and legislature. Upon ratli-
eaton by constituent states, the lst Oh NO
vemberelast was fixed for the new system
10 go into operation Within a few weeks
thereafter the plan was severely tested by
revolutionary movements arising, with
consequent demand for unity of acton on
the part of the military power OF the led
eral states to suppress them. Under TINS
strain the new union seems to nave peen
weakened through the withdrawal OF IT'S
more important members.
This government was not officially adj
vised of the installation of the federation
and has maintained an attitude of friendly
expectancy, while in no wise relinqulsh-
ing the position held from the outset that
the responsibilities of the several states
toward US remained unaltered by their
tentative relations among themselves.
The Nicaragua Canal.
The Nicaragua canal commission, unuer
Rear-Admiral John G.. Walker, appointed
July "A, 1887, under the authority Of
provision in the sundry civil act OF June 4,
of that year, has nearly completed It's
inquiry into the proper route, the feasibll-
ity and the cost of construction OF an in
teroceanic canal by the Nicaragua route,
will be laid before you. In the perform
ance of its work the commission received
all possible courtesy and assistance from
the governments of Nicaragua and Costa
Rica, which thus testified their apprecla-
ton of the Importance of giving speedy
and practical outcome of the project that
1Syfsnc f.
tention of the respective countries.
AS the scope of 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 sur
veys and plans and in particular those
adopted by the Maritime Canal Company
under it's existing concessions from Mica
ragua and Costa Rica, SO that to this ex-
tent these grants necessarily held an es-
sential part in the deliberations and con-
illusions of the canal commission as they
have held and must needs hold in the dis
cuSsion of the matter by congress. I'm
Ger these circumstances, and in view of
overtures made to the governments of
Nicaragua and Costa Rica by other par
ties for new canal concession predicated
on the assumed approaching lapse of the
contracts of the Maritime Canal Company
with those states, l have not hesitated to
express my convictions that considerations
of eXpediency and international policy, as
between the several governments inter-
ested in the construction and control of
an interoceanic canal by this route re-
Ouire the maintenance of the status quo
Until the canal commission shall have re-
ported and the United States congress
shall have had the opportunity to pass
finally upon the whole matter during the
present session without prejudice by rea-
son of any change in the existing condi-
tons.
Nevertheless, it appears that the gov
eminent of Nicaragua, as one Of its last
sovereign acts before merging its pow
ers 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
the present grant. 1t does not appear
that surveys have been made or what
route is proposed under this concession,
so that an examination of the feasibility
of it's plans is necessarily not embraced
in the report of the canal commission.
All these circumstances suggest the ur-
gency of some definite action by congress
at this session if the labors of the past
are to be utilized and the linking of the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans by a practical
waterway is to be realized That the
construction of such a maritime highway
is now more than ever indispensable to
that intimate and ready intercommuni-
cation between our eastern and western
seaboards demanded by the annexation
of the Hawaiian islands and the prospec-
tive expansion of our influence and COM
merce to the Pacific, and that our national
policy now more imperdtively than ever
calls for it's control by this government
are propositions which / doubt not con-
gress will duly appreciate and wisely act
upon.
A convention providing for the revival
of the late United States and Chilean
claims commission and the considerat ton
of claims which were duly presented to
the late commission, but not considered
because of the expiration of the time linn
tied for the duration of the commission.
was signed May "a, 1897, and has remained
-unacted upon by the senate. The term
therein fixed for effecting the exchange
of Publications having elapsed, the con-
vention fails unless the time be extended
by amendment, which I am endeavoring
to bring about, with the friendly con-
currence of the Chilean government.
acknowledgements of Chinn.
The United States has not been an in
different spectator of the extraordinary
events transpiring in the Chinese empire
whereby portions of its maritime prov
inces are passing under the control of
'eIiiOuS ILdlOpSdl pOWSIS, DuC the prospect
that the vast commerce which the energy
OF our citizens and the necs ssity of our
staple productions for Chinese uses has
built up in those regions may not be
preJudiced through any exclusive treat
ment by the new occupants has obviated
the need OF our country becoming an actor
IN the scene. Our position among nations
having large Pacific coast and a con-
stantly expanding direct trade with the
Oix he IL
claim to consideration and friendly treat
ment in this regard and it will be my
aim to subserve our large interests in that
quarter by all means appropriate to the
consistent policy of our government.
The territories of Kiao-Chou, of Wei
Hal Wei and of Port Arthur and Ia
lien Wan, leased to Germany, Great Brit
ain and Russia respectively for terms of
years, will, it is announced. add to in
ternatfonal commerce during such occu-
patton, and if no discriminating treatment
of American citizens and their trade be
found to exist or be hereafter developed
the desire of this government would APP
pear to be realized
Meanwhile, there may be just ground for
disquietude, in view of the unrest and
revival of the old sentiment of opposition
and prejudice to alien people which per-
vades certain of the Chinese provinces.
AS in the case of the attacks upon our
cltlzens In See ChTan and at Ku Tien in
1888, the United States minister has been
instructed to secure the fullest measure
OF protection. both local ond i,,,r,ar;,1