The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1900-04-14
THE CANAL RIGHT OF WAY
NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONCLUDED
To Lease Strip of Land Ten Miles
Observation-Disclosures of the Repub-
lies Prohibit the Selling of Terri
tory Wanted-The Administration
VIII Not Rush.

w APill 1O.-<An Olllcldl Oh
the administration is authority for the
statement that arrangements have been
practically concluded with the govern
ments of Costa Rica and Nicaragua for the
acquisition by the United States of a strip
of territory 10 miles wide between Grey
town and Brito, through which the Ncar-
aqua canal will be constructed. There are
certain diplomatic phases of the negotia-
tions yet to be perfected but it is under
stood that these are rather matters of de-
tail than of principle. Rear Admiral j. G.
Walker, president of the isthmian canal
commission, sounded the Central Amer
lean governments as to the action they
would take in the event of formal propo-
sition from this government looking to the
acquisition of the necessary territory, and
the answers he received were generally of
a very satisfactory character.
The action taken looking to the acquisi-
ton of the necessary territory was initia-
ted Immediately after the submission of
the Hay-P auncefote treaty to the senate
|
be no delay in accomplishing ratification.
The administration is now disposed not
to move so hastily, so that it is difficult
to say when agreements will be finally
signed looking to the transfer to Ameri-
can control of the necessary territory
across the isthmus.
The determination of the president to
secure control of Costa Rican and Nicara-
guam territory indicates that after consul
tation with members of the isthmian com
mission he came to the conclusion that
that body would undoubtedly recommend
the construction of the Nicaraguan rather
than the Panama canal.
1t is stated that the commission will in
all probability recommend to congress
that it adopt the Walker route, favorably
reported by the Walker Nicaraguan canal
commission, modified slightly to take ad-
vantage of new discoveries made by the
surveying party now there.
Rear Admiral Walker visited Managua
and San Jose, and had very satisfactory
interviews with President Zelaya and
President Iglesias. In view of the fact
that to construct the canal it will be nee
essary to build railroads and other appli-
ances, Rear Admiral Walker considered it
desirable to obtain five miles on each side
of the route of the proposed canal and at
least three miles on the southern shore of
Lake Nicaragua.
The Nicaragua and Costa Rican govern
ments seemed to think that three miles on
each side of the line was sufficient, but the
rear admiral finally prevailed upon them
to accept his view. 1t was pointed out to
him, however, that there was one insupera-
BILE obstacle in the way of the cession of
territory. The constitutions of Costa Rica
and Nicaragua prohibit them from alienat-
ing any of their territory.
No difficulty will be experienced, how
ever, as shown by the information com
inundated by Rear Admiral Walker to
the authorities in obtaining control of the
necessary strip of territory. While the
two governments are prohibited from dis
posing OF their territory, it is understood
they have indicated that an indefinite
lease can be granted to the United States.
OOotn VIVA has hODly COlHt 70 Ino ITOUC
in this matter. She has entered into no
conventions or contracts which will affect
in any way any concession she may make
to the United States. The Maritime Canal
company's concession is now said to be
terminable at any time at the pleasure of
the Costa Rioan government Nicaragua
is said to haNe certain concessions which
are terminable upon request, but they
will not stand in the way of the construc-
ton of the canal by this government.
There is some talk of the Managuan gov
eminent demanding in consideration for
the REIMBURSEMENT of the control OF a
strip of territory to the United States cer-
tain concessions.
Costa Rica has, however, according to
information which has reached here from
San Jose, given her hearty consent to the
proposition to transfer the necessary ter
; ritory to the control of the United States,
though she will not relinquish sovereignty
over it, and she has promised her coop
Grafton in the maintenance of the canal.
There is reason to believe that Rear
Admiral Walker propounded certain ques-
tons to the Colombian government, but
what their character is the authorities de-
l cline to state. 1t is understood they cover
contingencies growing out of the possible
: purchase of the Panama canal by the
United States. but the information OBJ
tanned from the Bogota authorities is moi
considered as important as that which AID
n miral Walker got from Costa Rica anc