The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-12-10
NICARAGUAN CANAL.
Some Definite Action on the Subject
In Urged.

In Urged.
The Nicaragua canal commission. under
the championship OF Rear Admiral John O.
Walker. appointed July "A, 1897, under the
authority OF a provision in the sundry civil
act OF June 4 OF that year has near
~ completed its labors, and the results OF
its exhaustive inquiry into the proper
route, the feasibility and the cost OF con-
struction OF an interoceanic canal by a Me-
araguan route will be laid before YOU Ia
the performance or its task the commission
received all possible courtesy and assist
ance from the governments OF Nicaragua
and Costa Rica, which thus testified their
appreciation OF the importance OF giving a
speedy and practical outcome 10 the great
project that has for so many years en-
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, IL necessarily included q
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 and
Costa Rica, 50 that to this extent those
grants necessarily held an essential part
In the deliberat tons 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 cir
cumstances and In view or overtures made
TO the governments OF Nicaragua and
costa hlca py other parties LOT new
sumed approaching lapse OF the contracts
of the Maritime Canal company with those
states, j have not healtated TO express my
conviction that considera tons OF expedi-
cncy and international policy. as between
the several governments interested in the
construction and control OF an inter-
oceanic canal by this route require the
maintenance OF the status que, until the
canal commission shall have reported and
the United states congress shall have had
the opportunity TO pass finally upon the
whole matter during the present session,
without prejudice by reason OF any change
n
Nevertheless II appears that the govern
ment OF Nicaragua, as one OF It's last soVer-
eiBn acts before merging It's powers IN
those OF the newly-formed United states
or Central America. has granted an option
al concession 10 another association, TO be-
come effective on the expiration OF the
present grant. IL does not appear what
surveys have been made, or what route is
proposed under this contingent granted, 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 urgency OF
some definite action by the congress al
this session. If the labors of the past are 20
be utilized and the linking OF the Atlantic
way is TO be realized. That the construc-
tion of such a maritime highway is now
more than ever indispensable TO that inti-
mate and ready accommodation be-
tween our eastern and western seaboards
demanded by the annexation OF the lia-
Wailan islands and the prospective eN-
pansion of our influence and commerce 20
Pacific. and That our national policy now
more imperatively than ever calls for its
control by this government, are PROPOSE.
lions which l doubt not the congress Will
duly appreciate and wisely act upon. :,
A convention providing for the revival
OF the late United states and Gillian
claims commission and the consideration
of claims which were duly presented 70 the
late but not con, e9nsqeree pS ST tb
duration OF the commission, was signed
May "a. 1897 and has remained ENACTED
upon by the senate The term therein liked
for effecting tho exchange OF Publications
having elapsed, the convention falls unless
the time be extended by amendment when
/ am enueaVoring 10 bring about. with the
friendly concurrence OF the CHILEAN govern
ment. co.,
THE United States has not been an in
different SPECTATOR OF tho extraordinary
events transpring IN the Chinese empire
whereby portions OF IFS maritime prov
fnces are passing under the control OF Nari-
ous European powers; but the prospect
that the vast commerce Which the energy
OF our citizens and the heeesslty OF our our
built up in those regions may not be pr.lu-
diced through any exclusive treatment ~
the now occupants has obviated tho need
az our country becoming an actor IN the
scene. our position among nations, having
a large Pacific coast and constaIty SN-
handing direct trade with the farther
orient. gives rs the equitable claim 70 con-
alteration ard friendly treatment IN TINS
rogad and i VII be my ann 70 spp hy S
means appropriate 20 the constant policy or
our government The territories OF ktan
Chow, OF wei Hal-Wei, and OF Port Arthur
and fallen wan. leased 20 Germany, Great
Britain and Russia respectively for terms
OF years will, ~ is announced, be open 70
international commerce curing such aleh
occupation: and " no discriminating treat
mont OF American citizens and their trade
be found 10 exist. or be hereafter developed,
the desire OF this government would appear
70 be realized. -. -..,,,...
In this relation, as showing the volume
and value OF our exchanges with CHINA ana
the peculiarly favorable conditions which
exist for their expansion IN the norman
course OF trade, refer 90 the cominu,Ille ,..
tion addressed 10 the speaker OF the mouse
OF representatives by the secretary OF the
TREASURY on the 18th OF last June, with It's
accompanying letter OF the secretary OF
state recommending an appropriation TOT
a commission to study the commercial ana
industrial conditions In the Chinese em-
pIre and report as 20 the opportunities TOT
and obstacles to the enlargement OF mar,
kete in China for the raw products anu
manufactures OF the United states. Ac-
lion was not taken thereon during the
late session. / cordially urge that the rec
ommendation receive at your hands inc
consideration which its Importance ana
timeliness merit.