New-York tribune., 1898-11-17
CRAGTN TALKS or CONCESSION.
WORK on NICARAGCAN CANAL TO BE
PUsHED-CAPITAL ALREADY SUB
SCRTRED HE SAYS

+. r. Cragn. OF Chicago who IL interested in the
new syndicate with W. r. Grace and others TO
build the Nlcaraguan Canal arrived here yesterday
from Greytown or the steamer Allegheny. He
accompa risd BY Colonel Alexander Brown and
Mr.. Eyre a representative OF W. r. Grace Co.
and several engineers VINO have been in Nicaragua
for the syndicate. Mr.. Crsgn said that there was
no question that the new syndicate had OBJ
tain~d the concession sor the canal and that the
formed watch obtained the Old grant would
have no standing lie quoted from message sent
to the Nicaraguan Congress by President Zelaya.
who said that he had granted 10 Messrs Cragn
and Eyre the right to open the interoceanc canal.
The President In this address declared that the con-
ression given In 1885, had bsen forfeited for nonful-
flment or its essential claims and for
abandonment OF the work The NicaragJan Con-
gress ratified the contract made By the President
with M@ssrs. Cragn and Eyre. who deposited SO-
90 vita the Nicaraguan Government. Mr.. Craein
said: president I.laya has exactly stated the
situation concerning the syndicate which repre-
sent. We went down there for the purpose Of
sscrr,aining II tho grant held by the Maritime
Company was workable. and soon discovered that
II VAS not The concession for years had prac-
te~ly been cancelled by the violation o, several
articles o' the agreement. Although the Govern
ment held that tne concession until October.
1922. there disposition o, the oficials to
grant renewal o' work which had ceased nine
years ago. Then arranged FOR and in
dependent concession. the work which Will he
pushed vigorously. This new grant which as will
De by ,he Presidents message has been ia
dorssd by the NicarasuaD Congress. has been dated
WHEN the Warner Miller concession is supposed 10
end IN 1874. There is probability however. that
the Maritime Company viii abandon ihe work when
they Understand the provisions of the new syndi-
Gates purchase. This may permit cancellation
o: the OLD contract IN advance o, the time set and
tnat would give IT, a chance 10 begin work i'm
m-diatrly. our contract. although II IL dated
October. 1879. contains clause which says unless
cancelled D-for~ taat date
There Will be hitch about the agreement
owing to the formation of the United States o,
Central America. which formation took place Oh
Nov ember OuT agreement with the Ncaraguan
Government was made and ratified before tho
republic came into eXistence. The constitution OF
The Central American Republic provides that
tracts made Oy the separate States prior TO the
Ing 10 say in this matter. ard owing 10 the strained
relation, between tnat country ana the State OF
Nioarasua the rev company las nothing 10 fear"
In speaking OF The puiSh.se of TN. Nicaraguan
Governments ssnDOat-. railroads and national
lands by the Auas. British corporation. Mr. Cragin
said that IL would not interfere III any way with the
State Depart neni ani Senator Morgan thought
Otherwise lie added: The State Department;
agreement between ihe Atlas Company and Mica
layia. BY the latter j. would that the Atlas
Company Is given The righ 10 graD Government
contracts will and seize national land on the line
Company when properly translated. does not give
the b itsh corporation anything Of the kind. II
ference VITA grants made by he Government prior
after the pm, hsse. That settles the matter.
and probably The State Department VIII get rid %
The trsrslation bv which Il has up 20 the present
been fooled fna get correct copy for future iIse
Mr. Cragin in closing said that the route OF he
canal aOnd not b- materially changed. and that
work. of such vita! interest 70 the people OF the
United States hsi already been subscribed