The Washington times., 1901-08-06
Nicnrngun nnd The CnnnI.

Patriotic Americans ought to be
gratifed by the friendly declarations
of President Zelaya, in his recent mes
sage to the Nicaragua Congress. As
far as his authority and influence go,
he has disposed of any idea that the
State he rules is open to the diplomatic
efforts of Great Britain to prevent il
from according the United States ali
the privileges needful for the construc-
ton Of an exclusively American inter
oceanic canal. In the message referred
to, General Zelaya said:
AT the head Of our continent appears today
She grand Republic Of the United States with
the Monroe Doctrine GA iis forehead, The grand
international principle ihat forbids European col
Gnizatiou on American soil.
with that Govfmrent, the friend and pro-
tector Of the weak nations Of cur continent,
we maintain IS is natural, close and cordial
relations.
"We have moreover. with the great American
Republic, the common interest OF our respective
lands in the opening Of the intcr-occanic canal
through cur territory. which 10 her means the
realization OF her dear purpose 10 occupy among
the nations Of the earth her proper position
a maritime power oi the first cla,9 and to
u means the ineaculsble benefits which VIII
obtain by our future progress and assrandizs-
ment.
III the recitation Of this event is as it
promises Nirarsi.ua and tho United States VIII
come closer and travel united in the future
because Of this wonderful link that crtgincs in
i positive way their national interests
This is good. honest Pan-American-
ism. Unlike some other chiefs of state
in this hemisphere, General Zelaya
thoroughly understands that the United
States does not look for territorial ag-
grandizemcnt south Of the Rio Grande.
Economically considered, such an am
bition would be poor policy. Our neigh
bors in Central and South America are
Of a different race, language. customs,
and ideals. To take them over and at
tempt to make them conform to our
Anglo-Saxon notions would result in
nothing but trouble and nl-feeling.
They and their territory are not nee
essary TO our progress or the safety of
our Republic. The one exception is
that. if we undertake to build the Mic
aragua Canal. Nicaragua is so i'm
portant TO us as an area dominating the
vital connecting link In our national
coast line that, were the Government
Of that country hostile to the enter
prise. high political considerations
,aight justify forcible ann exation. But
the attitude of President Zelaya, as
suming it to be that of his countrymen
also relieves us of any such necessity.
The Nicaragua Canal project concerns
the United States, Nicaragua. and
Costa Rica. and nobody else. If Provi-
dence had blessed us with an Admins
tration free from the influence Of the
British Government and the trans
continental railways, the American
canal, under the joint control of the
only states and peoples justly entitled
to have a voice in the matter, would be
wen on its way to completion today.
We are sorry 10 say that the pros
poets for the early Inauguration of the
work are not good. The syndicates,
who own the party in power, are bit
terly opposed TO its initiation. They
are so completely determined to defeat
the enterprise that they are now con-
spring to buy up the de Lesseps ditch.
one of the most ridiculous engineering
failures Of history, and pouring the
money OF our taxpayers into 1t, fully
knowing that IL will be squandered and
lost Still. the day may be coming when
the American Congress VIII no longer
be nIckel-in-t -tho-slot machine for
Messrs. Morgan, Rockefeller. Hill, and