Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1900-04-14
THE CANAL RIGHT Of WAY
NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONCLUDED
To Lease IA Strip of Land Ten Miles
INSTRUMENTATION of the Repub-
lies Prohibit the Selling of Terri
tory Wanted-The Administration
Will Not Rush.

Washington, April l0.-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 Grey
town and Brito, through which the Near
aqua canal will be constructed. There are
certain diplomatic phases Of the negotia-
tons yet to be perfected, but it is under
stood that these are rather matters of de-
tail than of principle Rear Admiral j. e..
Walker, president of the isthmian canal
commission, sounded the Central Amer
lean governments as to the action they
would take in the event of a formal propo-
sition from this government looking to the
acquisition of the necessary territory, and
the answers he received were generally of
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-Pauncefote treaty to the senate
and when it looked as though there would
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.
|
and San Jose, and had very satisfactory
interviews with President Zelaya and
President lglesias. In view of the fact
that to construct the,e<nal it will be nee
essary to b;sild 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 alenat.
ing any of their 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 tbs
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 front
in this matter. She has entered into NJ
conventions or contracts which will affec
in any way any concession she may make
to the United States. The Maritime Cana
company's concession is now said to b,
terminable at any time at the pleasure o
the Costa Rioan government. Nicaragua
is said to have certain concessions whicl
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 fo
the REIMBURSEMENT OF the control of
strip of territory to the United States Ger
tain concessions.
Costa Rica has, however, according t.
information which has reached here from
San Jose, given her hearty consent to tn,
proposition to transfer the necessary ter
rtory 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 Real
Admiral Walker propounded certain ques
lions to the Colombian government, bu
what their character is the authorities de
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