The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-02
Long Expected.
{Ry Associatea Press.)

WASHINGTON, August 1.-The seizure
Of The property of the Maritime Canal
Company has long been expected, although
the United states Government has Gone
all taat il properly could to conserve me
rights of the cancessionaries.
Under the terms Of the concession the
5 Nicaragua Canal Company Vas allowed Il
period often years after the completion OF
the preliminary surveys ia when To con-
plete the construction Of the canal lnat
period expired nearly two years ago. Inc
scs,npaay which mas done 4 great deal OF
work was expecting TO effect an arrange
snert for tiis. transfer of its properties anu
puyiieses to the Government Of the United
states through some of the various Nicara-
Gran Canal bills which have been intro
iuced in Congress and more or less ad-
vanced to enactment.
The NicaraggIan Government. however,
Eorcseeins- the failure OF the company 10
comply with the letter of its contract. en-
tered into another arrangement with what
As known as the Cragin-Eyre Syndicate 10
take up the original CONCESSION promptly
a,pon its forfeiture. The Maritime Canai
Company was notified that the -\-carasua
Gorc11snent had vacated its concession and
attended 10 seize upon its properties ac-
.cord,ng to the terms of Article ii of the
concession.
THE PROVISIONS
This article provides that n the event
of the forfeiture of the concession through
failure TO complete II within the time set
or from other specified causes. the repup-
lie shall enter upon possession IN per-
petuity of the canal, Of works of ART,
lighthouses, stations, deposits. stores and
all the establishments used in this admin
dstratiou of the canal without being
Obliged to pay any indemnity TO the COM
Iany..'
The snme article provides for the eX-
emption from seizure of the company $
vessels. coal. workshops and capital
The Canal Company protested against
the proposed seizure, and appealed to the
Government of the United States. Ar
ticle IS Of the concession provides that
-.s1lould events arise duly Suficient 10
prevent the work during the period of ten
years, IN extension shall be granted.
The company claimed that exactly this
contingency has arisen. and asked Tor the
extension referred to.
The last article Of the concession pro
vides that in the event of misunder-
standing between the Government OF Mica
ragua md the company the dispute should
he submitted to four arhitrators, two TO
be selected by each party
s---- DEMANDED ARBITRATION
The company upon the refusal Of its
claim by the Nicaraguan Government, de-
manded this arbitration. The NicaraSuaI
Government lut Just4te VI tiie
demand, but required that all four of the
arhitrators should be native Nicaraguans.
The company refused to commit its In
derests to the care of such agents. and
United States Minister Merry. at the in
stance of the State Department, inter-
vened in its favor.
1t appears now, however. that the arb-
tration having failed, as the Nicarasunn
Government claims, by the expiration of
~ ;n5 oil for ifS Ia
eminent has proceeded TO make the se:Z-
Ire of the Canal Company's property.
contemplated in article "a
The State Department has not Yet been
notified of this action. and when it is pro-
baby will proceed 10 take some step 10
ascertain the motives that Influenced the
Nicaraguan Government-whether it Is
simply clearing the way for direct neso-
tiations with the United States for the
construction of cannl or whether it is
working in the interests of some other
h concession rieS