Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-04-09

TO BE TEN MILES WIDE
Through it the Nicaraguan Canal Will
be COnStructed--COmniSSiOn Will
Probably Recommend the Walker
Route.

New York, April "a special to the
Herald from Washington says: An official
of 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
strip Of territory 10 miles wide between
Geytown and Brito, through which the
Nicaragua canal will be constructed.
There are certain diplomatic phases OF
the negotiations yet to be perfected but
it is understood that they are rather
matters of detail than of principle Rear
Admiral OHM G. Walker, president of the
Isthmian canal commission, sounded the
Central American governments as to the
action they would take in the event of
formal proposition from this government
looking to the acquisition Of necessary
| territory and the answers he received
wer generally of a very satisfactory
character. .
| The action taken looking to the acquisi-
ton of the necessary territory was in
| itiated Immediately after the submission
of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty to the sem
ate and when it looked as though there
would be no delay in accomplishing rati-
! fication. The administration is now dis
posed not to move so hastily that it is
difficult to say when the agreements will
be finally signed looking to the transfer
to American control of the necessary ter
ritory across the isthmus.
The determination of the president to
secure control of Costa RicaNand Near
aguan territory indicates that after cons
sultation with members Of the Isthman
that body would undoubtedly recommend
the construction of the Nicaraguan canal
rather than of the an-American 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 Walkers action followed
the receipt of instructions from the presi-
dent. These instructions contemplated
first, that he ascertain the sentiment in
Nicaragua and Costa Rica respecting the
transfer of the necessary territory for the
purpose of the canal and the terms upon
which such transfer would be made and,
second, if any conventions or contracts
with foreign powers or corporations pre-
vented the construction of the canal by
the United States.
Rear Admiral Walker visited Managua
and San Jose, and had very satisfactory
interviews with President Zelaya and
President Igleslias. In view of the fact
that to construct the canal it will be
necessary to build railroads and other ap-
pliances. Rear Admiral Walker consider
ed it desiable to obtain five miles on each
side orr the QUITE of the proposed canal
and at least three miles on the southern
shore of Lake Nicaragua.
The Nicaragua and Costa Rcan gov
ernments seemed to think that three
miles on each side of the line were suffi-
cient, but the rear admiral finally prevail.
ed upon them to accept this view. 1t was
pointed out to him, however, that there
was one nsuperabe obstacle in the way
Of the cession of territory. The constitu.
tions of Costa Rica and Nicaragua pro.
hibit them from alternating any of theil
territory.
No difficulty will be experienced, how.
: ever. as shown by the information com
, municated by Rear Admiral Walker tc
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
. Costa Rica has nobly come to the from
in this matter. She has entered into nj
conventions or contracts which will affec
in any way any concession she made t.
| the United States. The maritime cana
companies concession is now said to bs
terminable at any time at the pleasure
of the Costa Rican government Nicar.
aqua has made certain conventions which
are terminabl upon the proper notifica.
r tion but they will not stand in the way
: of the construction of the canal by thi.
I government. There is some talk of tn.
: Managua government demanding. in con
5 sideration of the REIMBURSEMENT of tn,
control of the strip of territory to tn,
United States, certain concessions
! Costa Rica however has. according t,
Y information which reached here from Sal
Jose given her hearty assent to the prop