Evening star., 1902-03-08
MARITIME COMPANY
Secretary Atkins Examined
as to It's Claims.
CONCESSIONS OF LAND
ENGINEER ALEXANDER FAVORS
THE NICARAGUA ROUTE.
Mr.. Atkins Testimony Considered by
Some as Sensational in
Character.

Thomas b. Atkins, secretary OF the Mari
time Canal Company, was examined at con-
siderable length before the Senate commit
tee on isthmian canals today regarding the
concessions, which had been made to that
company. He said that the company had
paid the Nicaraguan government $4,000
for lands along the right of way, it having
$4,000 acres in one grant. The company still
asserted the right to this land and looks to
the United States for protection Of its rights
and interests. He said the company could
not do anything without the assistance of
the United States. The Nicaraguan conces-
sions had been Cancelled by the Nicaraguan
government, and the company had protested
the cancellation. There never had been any
cancellation of the concessions and fran
chises which the Maritime company had OBJ
tanned from Costa Rica, and these conces-
sions were exclusive. The canal could not
be constructed or operated without these
concessions in Costa Rica. He was asked
what would be the effect If the United
States should acquire a concession from
Costa Rica along the same route, and re-
piled that 1t would be violation of the
companys concession. but added that the
company, while asserting It's right to the
concession, would not do so obstructively,
SO as to prevent the United States from
constructing the canal. The spirit of the
company was to leave the matter to the
United States government believing that
the government would deal equitably with
the company which had SO long held these
valuable concessions and expended great
amount of money in work. He mentioned
four or five million dollars as the value of
the claims Of the company.
T. p. Alexander, a civil engineer, who had
spent some time on the isthmus, gave In
formation of technical character to the
committee. He favored the Nicaragua
route.
The testimony Of Mr.. Atkins is regarded
as of little consequence SO far as it affects
building friends the
Nicaragua project, but those who favor the
Panama route speak Of it as of the highest
Importance, and even as sensational in
character. This view the part of the
friends of the Panama route is based on
what they believe to be a slumbering claim
of large magnitude against the United
States government on the part Of the Mari
time Canal Company. They say that the
Maritime company, while taking the atti-
tude that it will place no obstacle in the
way of this government going ahead, and
while making no demand whatever at this
time,is waiting until the United States gov
ernment declares itself in favor Of the
Nicaraguan route and takes some decisive
steps to build canal there.
When this is done, they say, there is
little doubt that the Maritime company
will come forward and push it's claim for
compensation for not only the four and
one-half millions OF dollars 1T has ex-
pended, but there will also be claim, they
say, involving the nineteen and one-half
millions Of dollars Of stock outstanding
and issued for concessionary rights. They
regard this as Of the utmost Importance
as bearing on the canal project, and 1t is
likely that when the committee makes it's
report the minority will urge this an
important reason affecting the building Of
a canal In Nicaragua.
Friends of the Nicaragua route, however,
declare that 1t will be impossible to make
anything Of this situation unfavorable to
the building OF a canal there. They say
that the Maritime company has pursued a
nnnS a in m
as stated by Mr.. Atkins today before the
committee, 1t Is entirely willing to submit
it's affairs to the United States government,
depending entirely upon what Congress
might see fit in Its good judgment to do In
the matter. They say that a matter OF
fact the rights Of the Maritime company In
Nicaragua and Costa Rica are at present a
complete barrier to any other private COM
pany going into those countries and COM
plicating the situation in such a way as to
greatly hamper the action Of Congress.
OF still greater Importance, In their view,
is the fact that should the Panama route
be decided upon by Congress, the Maritime
company is in position to sell to any private
company its rights in Costa Rica and Mica
ragua and allow that company to go in and
make such additional terms 1t might see
fit for the speedy construction of a canal
that would come into competition with the
canal at Panama. They regard the attitude
of the Maritime Canal Company one
that cannot call for criticism, and declare
that the opponents Of the Nicaraguan route,
II they should attempt to make any point
against that route because Of this situation
will fail in doing so.
The concessionary rights of the Maritime
Canal Company include not only a right to
build the canal, but title to every alter
nate block Of land five miles square on
either side Of the canal, so far as 1t ex-
tends through government land. This right.
however. is merged in the general conces-
sionary rights Of the company and is one
that would be completely exercised only in
case of the completion of the canal, when
this land would be available for settlement
and subject of sale on the part OF the canal
company.