Mr. Guzmán to Mr.
Gresham.
[Translation.]
Legation of the Republic of Nicaragua,
Washington, April
30, 1894.
Sir: I have the honor, referring to our
conversation of this morning, herewith to transmit to your excellency
copies of the documents which
[Page 461]
I showed you, and which relate to the important question of an
inter-oceanic canal through Nicaragua.
My Government, being anxious to see that great highway between the two
oceans opened up for navigation as speedily as possible, always views
with the greatest satisfaction the interest which the United States have
for a long time manifested in the completion of that most important
enterprise.
I reiterate, etc.
[Inclosure.]
Translation of two paragraphs of a communication
addressed to the legation of Nicaragua at Washington by the
ministry of foreign relations of Nicaragua, under date of April
7, 1894.
Mr. Minister: The U. S. minister in
Nicaragua had a conference a few days since with the President and
vice-president of the Republic, and with the undersigned, his object
having been to state to the Government his views with regard to the
canal company.
The minister said that he thought that the said corporation, in view
of its present circumstances, could not accomplish the piercing of
our isthmus, and that, as he understood that the U. S. Government
did not consider it possible for it to associate its name with those
of the promoters of that enterprise, in the accomplishment of the
work, he desired to know whether the Government of Nicaragua, in
case of the lapse of the Cardenas-Menocal contract, would be willing
to enter into negotiations with the United States, with a view to
settling the question of the construction of the interoceanic
highway.
A true copy.
H. Guzmán.
Washington, April 30,
1894.
