The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-04-10
wALKER CANAL COMMISSION,
win Recommend Nicaragua Route and
Has Obtained Cessions Of Ter
ritory for That Purpose.


NEW YORK. April "a special to
the herald from Washington, says:
An official of the administration is
authority for the statement that ar
rangcments have been practically con
cluded with the governments Of Costa
Hica and Nicaragua for the acquisition
by the United States of strip Of ter
ritory 10 miles wide between Greytown
and Brito. through which the Nicara-
guam canal viii be constructed.
There are certain diplomatic phases
of the negotiations yet to be perfected
but it is understood that these are
rather matters OF detail than of princi-
pie. Rear Admiral John G. Walker.
president of the Isthmian Canal Com
mission, sounded the Central American
governments as to the action they
would take in the event of formal
proposition from this country looking
to the acquisition Of the necessary
territory and the answers he received
were generally of a very satisfactory
character
The action taken looking to the ae-
QUESTION OF the necessary territory was
initiated Immediately after the submis-
sion of the -Pauncefote treaty to
the senate and when it looked as
though there would be no delay in ac-
complishing ratification. The admin
istration 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 American
control Of the necessary territory
across the isthmus.
The determination Of the president
TO secure control Of Costa Rican and
Nicaraguan territory indicates that af-
ter consultation with members of the
isthnian commission he came to the
conclusion that that body would un-
doubtedly recommend the construction
of the Nicaraguan, rather than the
Panama canal.
1t is stated that the commission will
in all probability recommend to con-
gress that it adopt the Walker route
favorably reported by the Walker Mic
araguan Canal Commission, modified
slightly to take advantage Of new dis
coveries made by the surveying party
now there.
Rear-Admiral Walkers action fol-
lowed the receipt of instructions from
the president. These instructions con-
templated 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 trans
fer would be made, and, second, If
any conventions or contracts with for
eign powers or corporations prevented
the construction of the canal by the
United States.
Rear Admiral Walker visited Mana
qua and San Jose. and had very salts
factory interviews with President Ze- !
laya and President Iglesias. In view
of the fact that to construct the canal /
it win be necessary to build railroads /
and other appliances, Rear-Admiral 4
Walker considered it desirable to OBJ |
tain 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 Rica gov
seemed to think that three
miles on each side of the line were /
sufficient but the rear-admiral finally
prevailed upon them to accept this
view. 1. was pointed out to him, how
ever. that there was one insuperable
obstacle in the way Of the cession Of
territory. The constitutions of Costa
Rica and Nicaragua prohibit them
from alternating any Of their terri
tory. No difficulty will be experienced
however, as shown by the information
by Rear Admiral Walk
er to the authorities in obtaining con-
troll Of the necessary strip Of territory.
While the two governments are pro-