Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-05
THE N1oARAauAN CANAL.
Progress Made by the United States Com
mission Reviewed at Length.

mission Reviewed. at Length.
The contract OF the Maritime Canal COM
pany OF Nicaragua was declared forfeited
of October, ON the ground Of non-fuifiii-
ment within the ten years term stipulated
In the contract. The Maritime Canal com.
ton, alleging rights in the premises which
appear worthy of consideration. This gov.
eminent expects that Nicaragua will af-
ford the protestants a full and fair hear
ing. upon the merits of the case.
The Nicaragua canal commission, which
had been engaged upon the work of ex-
route across Nicaragua having completed
its labors and made Its report. was dis
solved on May 81, and on June TO- new
commission, known as the isthmian canal
terms of the act approved March 8, 1899,
f for the purpose Of examining the American
g yeT the
ship canal across that isthmus. with its
probable cost. and other essential details.
Pa This s sann under the Presidency Of
States navy (retired). entered promptly
upon the work intrusted to it, and is now
carving on examinations in Nicaragua
along the route of the Panama canal, and
in Darien from the Atlantic, in the neigh
borhood of the Atrato river, to the Bay Of
Panama, on the Pacific side. Good prog
ress has been made, but under the law a
comprehensive and complete investigation
is called for, which will require much la
b0r and considerable time for its accom-
plishment. The work Will be prosecuted as
eXpeditiously as possible and a report made
at the earliest practicable date.
Importance of the Canal.
The great importance If this work cannot
be too often or too strongly pressed upon
sage of year age. I expressed my views
OF the. necessity of canal which would
link the Two great oceans. to which I
reasons then presented for early action are
even stronger now.
A pleasing incident In the relations of
this government with that of Chilli oc-
CURED in the generous assistance given to
the warship Newark when in distress in
Gillian waters. Not alone in this way
has the. friendly disposition of Chill found
expression. That country has acceded 10
the convention for the establishment Of the
bureau of the American republics. in which
organization every Independent state of
the continent now shares.
The exchange of notifications of con-
vention for the revival of the United States
and Ghlliat. claims commission and for the
adjudication of claims heretofore present.
ed but not determined during the life of
the previous commission, has been de-
layed by reason of the necessity for fresh
action by the Gillian senate upon the
anne ndmes.ts attached to the ratification
Of the treaty by the United States senate.
This Formally is soon to be accomplished.
Our Troubles at Peking.
In view Of disturbances In the 5populous
many of our citizens and of the immineEce
OF disorder near the capital and toward
the seaboard, guard of marines was
landed from the Bos ton and stationed dur
ing last winter in the legation compound
at Peking. With the restoration Of or
der this protection was withdrawn.
empire have not been neglected during the
past year. Adequate protection has been
secured for our missionaries and some in
dressed.
American capital has sought and found
various opportunities of competing to car
imperial government is wisely encourage
ing, and to develop the natural resources
OF the empire. Our trade with China has
rights under existing treaties have been
everywhere maintained during the past
year, as they will be in the future
The extension of the area open to inter-
national foreign settlement at Shanghai
and the opening of the ports of Marking.
Tsing-Iao CSiao Chao) and Ta-Len-Wa
to foreign trade and settlement will doubt
less anord American enterprise additional
facilities and new fields. of which it will
not be slow to take advantage.
Wants Commission to China.
In my message to congress of December
B, 1893. / urged that the recommendation
which had been made to the speaker of the
house of representatives by the secretary
of the treasury on the 14th of June. 1898. for
an appropriation for commission to study
the commercial. and Industrial conditions in
the Chinese empire and report as to the op-
portunities for. and obstacles to, the en-
largement of markets in China for the raw
products and manufactures of the United
States, should receive at your hands the
consideration which its Importance and
timeliness merited, but the congress failed
to take action.
now renew this recommendation. as the
Importance Of the subject has. steadily
grown since 1t was first submitted to you.
and no time should be lost In studying for
ourselves the resources of this great field
for American trade and enterprise.