New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-07
CANAL SEEMS ASSURED.
NICARAGUA AND COSTA RIGA READY TO
ENTER INTO TREATIES WITH THE
UNITED STATES.
tBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BuNE.I


washington Sept 6-The Governments OF
Nicaragua and Costa Rica will, as soon as the
Senate has passed the Canal bill now pending
in that body and which has already passed the
House, negotiate the necessary treaties that
will enable this Government TO construct the
isthTnian canal through the territory Of the two
republics. This Government has not been Of
ficially informed that the Government Of Mica
ragua has forfeited the concession granted to
the Cragin-Eyre syndicate. but unoficially that
information is in possession of the State De-
partment- Minister Calvo. representing the
Costa Rican Government in Washington. knows
this concession has been forfeited and is con-
WINGED that Nicaragua has endeavored to clear
the way for negotiations with this Government
that VIII result in the construction Of the canal
by the United States at the earliest possible day
CONCESSIONS OUT OF THE WAY.
The Maritime Company's concession, which
expired by limitation on October O. 1899 was
followed by the immediate operation of the con-
oession granted 10 the Cragin- Eyre people I'm
der that concession the proposed new company
was required 10 organize within six months from
the date named. and within four months from
the date of the organization of the company to
pay TO the Government OF Nicaragua $4,000
that being the balance due on the bonus OF $780,
600 which was agreed TO be paid for the con-
cession. Under the most extreme limit of time
that amount of money came due on August 10
last It was not paid, and the very next day
the Nicaraguan Government acting under the
forfeiture clause Of the contract with the COM
pany, forfeited the contract and declared the
contract to be null and void. This action wipes
out all private concessions granted by Mica
ragua and leaves the way clear for any future
action she may desire to take. The Department
is convinced that Nicaragua now believes that
the canal can only be constructed by the United
States. and that the granting of private
cessions only postpones active prosecution Of
this great work.
TIE TWO REPUBLICS IN HARMONY.
Nicaragua and Costa Rica are working to-
gether in harmony. Fortunately the boundary
dispute between these two countries has been
srnicably settled, and the utmost good feeling
exists between them. President Zelaya of Mica
ragua is preparing for visit to Costa Rica
1t VIII be an official visit, and will celebrate
the settlement of all troubles between the two
countries During that visit, the canal ques-
ton will be discussed and a plan will be agreed
upon that Will be satisfactory to both countries
All this is 70 be arranged before the American
Congress meets that when the State De-
partment begins negotiations for treaty there
will be no delay in coming to terms on that
proposition.
senior Calvo said, IN discussing this question.
that he did Tot believe any treaty could be ne
gotiated 50 long as legislation has not been en-
acted authorizing the construction Of the canal
by this Government. and affording assurance to
Nicaragua and Costa Rica that il the treaty is
negotiated the canal will be built. If the Sen
ate at the coming session does pass the Canal
bill. then, Minister Calvo says. there will be no
trouble in negotiating a treaty in short order
that viii receive the approval of the United
States Senate and be satisfactory to both Costa
Rica and Nicaragua. such treaty can be ne
goUiated and ratified by the Senate II the Canal
bill, which has been made the special order for
December 10, Is promptly passed It was for
the purpose Of facilitating the negotiation and
ratification of such q treaty that Nicaragua
rid herself Of the concessions which, so long as
they were operative, compelled the United
States 10 consider the rights OF private cor
discussion. These alleged rights have now been
eliminated by Nicaragua's exercise OF her pre-
negatives under the charters which brought the
private CORPORATIONS into existence.
CLEAR TITLE FOR UNITED STATES.
Minister Calvo says that his Government
stands ready to enter into a canal compact
with the United States, and he has informed
the officials that Nicaragua also is prepared TO
do anything that may be required to give this
Government e clear title so far territory is
concerned, in the matter Of canal construction.
II is not admitted either by the Department
or by the Ministers that negotiations are now
under way, but it is believed that treaty is
now being considered, so that the prelimi-
naries will be out Of the way by the time the
Senate has passed the Canal bill, and the Presi-
dent can transmit 10 the Senate convention
that may be ratified before March 4, thereby
avoiding the long wait between the expiration
of one Congress and the assembling of
United States Government is assured.