The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-02-03
new CANAL ROUTE
Q. S. SHOULD BUY BASE AND
ROUTE THROUGH NICARAGUA.
OTHER NATIONS OBJECT

Other NATIONS Object
Bryaa Thinks We Should Purchase
Interoceanic Canal Rights From
Costs Rica, Salvador and Hondu-
ras-Thinks it Would be Wise to
Possess Possible Rival to Panama.
Secretary Bryan made the state
Ment Monday, in discussing the treaty
granting the United States the rlght
to build an intercceanic canal across
Nicarasua and acquire naval bases IN
that country, that this government
stood ready to purchase naval bases
from three OF the four other Central
American nations, and had been en-
deayoring to make them so under
stand.
Mr.. Bryan's statement was made
in response to quest ons based on a
revival of talk about Costa Rica's
protest to the United States against
the Nicaragua treaty which, in its
original form, gave to this govern
ment authority to establish a virtual
protectorate over Nicaraguan terri
tory.
The original treaty with Nicaragua
contained a provision somewhat SINH
lar to the Platt amendment that gave
the United States jurisdiction over
the foreign affairs of Cuta and the
right to intervene to suppress revolu-
tionary disorders in that island.
Strong objection was made to this
provision, and it was eliminated by
the Senate committee on foreign re-
lations.
AS, the treaty now stands it pro-
pi6es that in consideration of pay
ment Of s3,000,000 by the United
States to Nicaragua, that country will
grant to this country the right of way
for canal across Nicaragua, and the
right to establish naval bases on the
Gulf of Fonseca and Great and Little
Corn Islands.
Both Costa Rica and Salvador OBJ
iected to this treaty on the ground
that Costa Rica had certain rights in
the San Juan river which might be
utilized in the route Of an interocean-
ic canal, and Salvador claimed polltl-
cal rights with reference to the Gull
OF Fonseca. The Gulf Of Fonseca IS
surrounded by Salvador, Honduras,
and Nicaragua.
Mr.. Bryan made known that IN
negotiating with the Central Amer1'
can nations the United States was ac-
tuared by the most friendly feeling
toward them and was anxious to com
pIete the proposed arrangements with
s Nicaragua for a canal route across
that country without ignoring the
other Central American nations.
He said that the United States was
ready and willing at any time to buy
options from Salvador, Costa R1ca-
and Honduras for naval bases. Mr
Bryan made it plain that in oferlng
to buy these options the United states
government had no wish to attach
anything like the Platt amendment
to them.
Mr. Bryan was asked if he had tolo
the Costa Rican minister that ne
would negotiate treaty with Costa
Rica providing fo- purchasing an op-
tion on a naval base, and he made a
prompt response. -.
49, eyes" he said, Get the time this
treaty was made with Nicaragua, we
told Costa Rica that we would be glao
to make similar treaty with her FOL
a canal option at any time. we also
expressed willingness to buy nava'
bases from Salvador and Honduras.
care you now doing that! was
the next question.
No., answered Mr.. Bryan, we dc
not know as yet jus. what Costa Rica
wants to do, but we are willing tc
buy an option from her"
To question as to whether Saliva
dor had objected to the naval base
Mr.. Bryan sid:
Salvador protested against ouI
buying from Nicaragua, but we are
perfectly willing to buy naval base:
from Salvador and Honduras at an!
time
s'The San Juan river route is the
one sold by Nicaragua"
"Our treaty does not confine us tc
that; it covers any route. When this
treaty was made with Nicaragua, we
told the representatives of Costa
Rica, and later it was put in a note
that we were prepared to enter into
similar arrangement with them
It was suggested to Mr.. Bryan that
the impression existed that he had
told the Centrsl American represent
atives that he woulG make a treaty
with them when the United States
was ready to build canal across
Nicaragua.
mo. that was another matter" he
explained. "In answer to their pro-
test we said that whenever the canal
was dug and there was any threaten
ed interference with their rights we
would take the matter up with them
but we told them we would purchase
an option any time. 1t was in August
that it was stated in the note I SIM
ply repeated to them in the note what
I stated verbally in the beginning
stWhat they compleined Of was that
digging this canal would affect them
If you examine the treaty you will
ind reference is made to the use OF
their land in making the canal, and
told them that whenever we had to
do anything that affected their land
we would, Of course, take the matter
up with them, but we were willing to
purchase the option at once. It may
have been that they misunderstood
the propG ition and thought it in
cluded the Platt amendment, but we
had no thought of that"
Q. Why buy this option? A. !
think it wise precaution. Anybody
who is interested in so large a busi-
ness enterprise as our canal at Pan
anna can afford to pay small amount
for this additional route.
Q. Has the tri-partite treaty been
. under consideration? A. I do not
know whether T understand to which
document you refer; but we have con-
Il Il l. =