New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-05
ISTHMIAN CANAL DESIRED.
NICARAGUA READY TO NEGOTIATE
WITH THE UNITED STATES.

SENIOR CoREA PROMOTED TO MINISTER
HE TALKS OF THE BLUEFIELDs INCL
DENT AND AFFAIRS IN HIS COUNTRY.
tBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBuNEl
| Washington Aug 4-Luis f. Corea, the Mica
raguan Charge d'Affaires, who for the last
| three months has been in Central America con-
| sultng with his Government on matters relat-
! ing TO the maritime canal and other questions
| Of importance TO both countries, has returned
| TO Washington, and yesterday presented to the
| State Department his credentials as Envoy Elk
traordinary and Minister Plenpotentary. HIS
| Government was greatly pleased with the man
ner in which he watched and reported on the
| proceedings in Congress in regard to the canal
and in elevating him to the rank or Minister
| gave him ample authority to enter into treaty
| negotiations with the United States Tor the
| building OF the trans Isthmian waterway. Senor
Corea In his new character as Minister will be
presented to President Mckinley on the return
of the latter from his vacation.
| BLUEFIBLDS AFFAIR NOT SERIOUS.
'I have not hurried to Washington" said the
new Nicaraguan Minister. "as some papers have
| published to participate IN diplomatic negotia-
| tions on tie subject OF the collection or duties
| from American merchants at Bluehelds. fer-
| haps shall have nothing whatever 10 90 with
this case. I saw It published last week tnat
| Minister Merry had been instructed TO repre-
sent to the Government OF Nicaragua that' IN
the opinion OF the State Department. the S9oO
| collected by General Torres from the American
| merchants In Blueheds should be returned 10
| them This Is hardly an accurate presentation
OF the case. For the time being the case Is not
| one for diplomatic consideration on April 20
an agreement was entered into between Minis
ter Merry and Mr.. Samson. Minister Of For
! eign Affairs by which the matter was 10 pe
| first referred to the tribunal OF the Blueheids
| District II examination 1t shall be round
that the Government had the right to demand
| the payment OF duties claimed. the deposit
which has been improperly called duties col
| lectcd a second time. now in the hands or the
British Consul will be paid to the authori-
| ties OF the custom house; on the other hand. II
II is decided that the payment made to the
| revoutionsts OF Bluehelds legal, for the
reason which they pretend. that the revolu-
| tionary organization OF General Reyes was the
| Government de facto. then the deposit shall be-
returned 10 the merchants. As last resort.
after discussion before the proper tribunal. the
matter may come before the Secretary OF For
| eign Relations Of Nicaragua, and the Depart
| ment of State OF the United States.
This question. however, is not OF overwhelm-
! ing Importance, and there is not the slightest
! danger that II will cause friction between the
| two Governments. The amount in question Is
/ not $1,000; II about $4,000 in Nicaraguan
! currency. or 5000 in United States money.
| only five merchants have interests at stake. On
/ the other hand. have important written state
| mcnts from other we'll known merchants OF
| Blucnelds that the payment OF this money to the
/ revoiutionis.s wss entirely without force. They
/ likewise were asked 20 pay duties. but they
/ declined TO recognize the right Of revolutionists
TO collect them. and did not pay. and they suf-
| fered no III consequences"
How does the Government OF Nicaragua re-
gard the desire Of the Eyre-Cragin syndicate
and the Government OF the United States TO
build the maritime canal?" was asked
THE CANAL CONCESSIONS
| Nicaragua wishes the early completion Of the
| canal" replied Minister Corea. Knowing that
| the United States wants the canal the Govern
| ment and the people OF Nicaragua hope that II
soon will be an accomplished fact. Notwith-
| standing the fact that my Government has
| given the Eyre-C -Crasin syndicate an option on
! the concession, after the Hitchcock or Maritime
! Canal Company concession. which was granted
| In 1887 expires in October of the present year,
| Nicaragua would have no objection 10 or ihcon-
yenience In treating directly with the Govern
rnent OF the United States in regard TO building
| II IL the United States will undertake 10 settle
the differences between the conflicting inter-
| ests.
MY mission here" he added. 'is TO promote
| the friendly relations that have existed between
tho two sister republics Ny Government and
nv peopIe express only the warmest feeling and
.bo rJ for ha NiCar-
aqua is enjoying perfect tranquility and
large degree OF prosperity. During my stay l
have noted large progress In Internal improve
ments The railroad through the interior from
| DIriamba TO Masaya has been completed, and
II will soon reach Rama on the Atlantic Coast.
| The employees have all been paid. some OF them
| I'm advance Trade is good and the rate of ex-
| change is lower there than elsewhere In the
| South Moreover. I am happy TO say that the
| relations between Nicaragua and her nelghbor-
| ing republics are especially friendly. / have
| seen It published that there was an unfriendly
| feeling toward Costa Rica This Is not true
| | visited Costa Rca, was well received there,
and found the friendly feeling which my people
have for those of that republic warmly recipro-
Gated.
Il Intended visiting Chill before returning to
the United States, and, In fact, had been ap-
pointed Minister Plenipotentary 10 that couh-
try. But there were matters or business re-
ouiring my presence in the United States and
came at another time may go TO Chill"
TO STUDY ISTHMUS CANAL ROUTES.
A p. DAVIS CHIEF HYDRoGRAPHER OF THE
UNITED STATES STARTS FOR
BLUEFIELDs