The age-herald., 1900-02-14
MINISTER FROM
 NICARAGUA TALKS n Regard to Protest of BeI-
 gium and France, NO TREATY WITH BELGIUM The Treaties Made With the Several Countries Do Not Concern Con-
 struction or Control ofthe
 Proposed Canal
NO TREATY WITH BELGIUM

Washington, February 13.-Referring to
 the statement in the London Standard that
 Belgium and France would unite in pro-
 test against American control of the Nica-
 rag uan canal, based on their treaties with
 Nicaragua, MT. Correa, the minister from
 Nicaragua, said to-day:
 "The statement is manifestly an error, so far as it refers to Belgium, as cannot re-
 call that Nicaragua has ever made a treaty
 with Belgium in reference to the canal. The
 only treaties which have been made con-
 corning the canal are those with Costa Rica
 Spaln France, Great Britain. and the
 United States in the order manned. But these treaties do not refer to any share in con structng the canal CT any control over it, but simply to its use a waterway or highway of commerce for the vessels of those nations''
 MT Correa said that the treaty between France and Nicaragua was negotiated in Washington in 1859, between the French and Necaraguan ministers stationed here, and its article referring to the canal is as fol-
 fows:
 Treaty With France
 Article 27-The Republic of Nicaragua by treaty grants ito France and to the
 French subjects, as we'll as to the French property, the right of transit between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, through the territory of this republic by all natural or
 artificial routes, or by means of land of communication upon land sea, which ex-
 ist to-day, or may hereafter exist or be
 constructed under authority of the republic Nicaragua to be enoyed or used in the
 same manner and the same terms by
 both parties and their subjects and citizens
 respectively. The republic of Nicaragua, however, reserves its full and entire right
 of sovereignty over the said route; and in general the republic of Nicaragua binds itself to grant France and French subjects the same rights and privileges in every re-. spect as to transit and the price of transit, as well as all other rights, privileges, or advantages, whatsoever relative to the pas sage or employment of troops, or relative to any object whatever, which are to-day or may be hereafter granted or given to be enoyed by the moJi favored nation" Treaty With Great Britain in 1860 Nicaragua made a treaty with Great Brit ain in 1860 with an article similar to the foregoing in 4he treaty with France. The treaty which Nicaragua made with Spain contains the following:
 Article 23-In case the projected inter
 oceanic communication by the territory of Nicaragua should be accomplished, wholly
 or in part, whether by means of canals, Dy
 railroads, or by these or other means com bined, the Spanish flag and merchandise as well as the subjects of her Catholic
 Majesty shall enjoy on the transit the same advantages and exemptions as are granted
 to the most favored nations"
 These treaties are sill in force, but Min
 ister Correa points out that they give no
 basis for protest far as any share in
 constructing or controlling the canal are
 concerned but are confined by their terms
 to the right of transit through the canal
 whenever it is constructed.