Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-01
COSTA RICA'S RIGHTS
Minister Calvo Discusses the Isthmian
Canal Route.
TIE INTERESTS OF Ills COUNTRY
Sentiment in Central America Re-
garding the Great Waterway.
LONG CONTROVERSY ENDED

said today, in the course of a general talk
on Nicaraguan canal affairs, that one Of
the most satisfactory features of the ex-
tended negotiations, far as Costa Rica
was concerned, was the universal acknowl-
edgment of that country's substantial
rights and interests in the isthmian water
way. There has never been any doubt of
these rights on the part of Costa Rica. but
for many years they were brought into con-
troversy, it being claimed that Costa Rica
had no sovereign territorial rights over any
portion Of the route, and that at most. her
interests could be satisfied by compensa-
tion This brought about the use of the
name "Nicaraguan canal" which seems to
leave out Of account the rights which Costa
Rica has in the waterway. But the minis
ter points out that the period Of contro-
versy has now been satisfactorily closed,
and that there appears to be no disposition
in any quarter to question Costa Ricas S
rights in the canal route.
Early French Negotiations.
In this connection. Mr. Calvo recalled the
long efforts toward building the canal, dat
ing back to 1858, in all of which Costa Rica
had been strongly favorable to the project,
and had been invariably recognized as nee
essary party to the undertaking. After the
treaty of limits was signed fixing the boun-
dary between Nicaragua and Costa Rlca a
gifted Frenchman named Felix Ballly made
his appearance in Central America and ne
gotiated for a canal concession. 1t was not
known at the time but has since become
we'll established that M. Bally was execut-
ing a part of the plans of Napoleon III to
gain foothold in Mexico and Central
America, and to control the great CONNER
cial waterway across the isthmus. con-
cession was granted, three parties signing
it jointly, M Bailly and the governments
of fn.a ofy1ro md ioa oil 1rV "
indicated the recognized interests of Costa
Rica in the canal No work was ever done
on the concession, however, and 1t lapsed.
Later another Frenchman, NJ. Chavelier, ne
gotiated a second French concession, also
believed to be in the interests of the French
plans concerning Mexico and Central Amer
lea. This concession also lapsed for want
Of work being done, and also through the
termination Of the French projects in that
part of the world.
Costa Rica's Rights.
The question of Costa Rica's rights first
came up after the early concessions had
lapsed, and for thirteen years there was
much negotiation and controversy over the
border line, and the effect this would have
upon the canal The treaty of limits had
defined the boundary, but the actual laying
out of lines had never occurred, and this
gave rise to the controversy. When the
concession was granted to the Maritime
grant the concession. Later, however, the
interests Of Costa Rica In the waterway
were recognized by the canal authorities,
and a second concession was granted by
Costa Rica. There have been several arbi-
trations on the boundary question-first by
President Cleveland as to the treaty of linn
Its, and more recently by an American en-
gineer. designated by this government to
actually lay out the boundary lines. The
line was finally agreed to and run last July,
and as now marked on the official surveys
1t leaves no further room for doubt Of Costa
Rica's territorial and sovereign rights in
connection with the waterway. Since then
all Of the negotiations have recognized the
interests Of both the governments along the
canal route. and Costa Rica Is no longer in
the position Of contending for an interest
which Is not generally conceded by all par
ties concerned.
Feeling in Central America.
Mr.. Calvo has not heard from his gov
ernment since the report Of the isthmian
canal commission was made public. But
| he says the report Of that body in favor Of
| the Nicaragua route was fully expected in
Central America, as 1t is considered certain
there that If the United States builds any
canal 1t will build 1t along the Nicaragua
| route. The officials and the public general
| ly in Costa Rica are deeply interested in
| the fate Of the project, for 1t means much
| to their future development, and the use of
Costa Rican labor and products during the
period of construction.
The minister does not wish to discuss the
| Hay-Pauncefote treaty while it is an open
question between the United States and
| Great Britain. He says, however, that he
| does not share in the statements made that
| the interests Of Nicaragua and Costa Rica
| were overlooked during the discussion of
the treaty. On the contrary, he regards this
| treaty as properly one concerning the rela-
! tions of the United States and Great
Britain. and not concerning their relations
| with Nicaragua and Costa Rica SO that II
| is natural that the discussion should have
| centered upon the mutual interests of the
| two first parties to the Clayton-Bulwe1
| treaty, and later the Hay-Pauncefote
| treaty.