The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-12-08
SCORING
NICARAGUA.
In the Report of the S nate Mica
ragua Canal Committee.
GRAvEDANGER OF EMBODIMENT

Our Government, Says the Committee,
should Assume Determined Atti-
tude to Prevent Consummation of the
Republics Latest Concession,
Washington, Dec. S.--As a result of
the meeting of the senate committee on
the Nicarauga canal yesterday Senator
Morgan gave notice Of an amendment
10 the Nicarauga canal bill authorizing
the immediate issuance, with a guar
antee by this government, of $4,000
worth Of bonds for the redemption of
all outstanding stock except that held
by the governments of Nicarauga and
Costa Rica, and the cancellation OF all
obligations. He submitted at the same
time a report upon the situation with
reference to the canal, dealing exclu
siyely with the fact that the govern
ment of Nicaragua granted a conces-
sion to construct a canal to another
company than the Maritime Canal
company. He deals with this transac-
tion in severe terms, upholdng the
rights of the Maritime company for
the present and for an extension Of It's
concession for ten years more. The
report arraigns the conduct of the re-
public Of Nicaragua, as well as that of
the American citizens securing the new
concession, in the most severe terms,
attributing the course of Nicaragua to
jealousy of Costa Rica, and that of the
COnCessionaires to "obstruct a great
national policy in selling out to trans
continental railroad company for the
defeat of a supposed competitor.
1T would be we'll for the reputation
of those concerned" the report says
"in thus dishonoring governments fol-
their personal advantage and using
their powers to create jealousles be-
tween states If it could appear that
their conduct is not also corrupt"
The committee adduces as a justifica-
| tion of the new report the seriousness
of the situation, saying on this point:
THE serious consequences likely to
result to the United States from this
Unprecedented and unwarranted action
of the late government of Nicaragua,
and the evident purpose to force our
government into payment of a large
sum as compensation for the future
consent of the republic of the United
States of Central America to the ere.
alton of maritime canal through the
San Juan river and Lake Nicaragua,
grounds on which 1t insists that this
proceeding is without any support in
law, justice or equity, and that it vio-
lates the hitherto cordial relations Of
the United States with Nicaragua"
The report takes issue with the con-
tention that that country owns both
banks of the San Juan river, calling at
tention to the fact that Costa Rica has
equal rights, since the arbitration OF
President Cleveland. as the owner of
one bank of the stream. Attention Is
called to the fact that in making the
concession of right of way granted by
Nicaragua no mention was made Of
Nicaragua's claim, rendering 1t incum-
bent upon Nicaragua to put the canal
company in possession Of the channel
| of the river. Here" the committee
| say, was a breach Of the agreement
! for which the canal company had paid
| $4,000 that entitled the company the
return of the money and TO other dam
| ages. 1t also imposed on the United
States the duty of compelling the re-
dress due them, If redress had beer
sought"
The report concludes: by conduct
equivalent to main force Nicaragua
prevented progress in the work on the
canal, and put cloud upon the credit
OF the company that could not be other
wise than disastrous"
The committee contends that the cir
cumstances Of the concession point to
the fact that the concession provides
for a charter to be granted to the
! United States.
IN this attitude" the committee con-
| tinues, the duties and the responsible
| tiles of Nicaragua are very high, if
they do not even rise to the dignity of
| solemn pledges and consequent sover-
| eign responsibilities to the United
States, whose Intervention is sought
In the chartering of the corporation. 4"
Dwelling upon Nicaragua's course in
the matter the committee say: How
this uneXampled condition is to be
dealt with otherwise than by an ex-
press and determined attitude on the
part of the United States is a question
that carries with it the danger of seri-
Gus embodiment in the near future. If
Nicaragua is not held to the perform
ance Of her agreement years will elapse
and many dangers will be encountered
before even a start can be made toward
the construction of a canal"
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