Question: Resolved. That the United States should construct and maintain the Nicaragua Canal.

Brief for the Affirmative.

F. C. THWAITS and J. D. UPTON.Best general references: Journal of the Franklin Institute, CXXXIV, 1,120; John Sherman, Forum XI, 1; Overland Monthly, XIX, 215 (Mar. 1892), Forum, XII, 714, 721; Tucker's Monroe Doctrine; Rodrigues' Panama Canal, 173-240; Foreign Relations of U. S. for 1874, p. 178; Proceedings of the Nicaragua Canal Convention, 1892, pp. 18 47, 65.

I. The Nicaragua Canal is practicable. - (a) The physical conditions are favorable; Journal Franklin Institute, CXXXIV. 12; President Grant in North Am. Review, CXXXII, 1+++7. - (b) The cost will not be excessive: J. F. I. CXXXIX, 17.

II. Such a canal would be of national importance and hence should be a national undertaking. - (a) Political advantages. - (1) The canal would unite more closely our Pacific and Atlantic coasts. - (2) It would furnish a strategic point for naval operations: J. F. I. CXXXIV, 128. - (b) Commercial advantages. - (1) It would develop the Pacific coast. - (2) It would stimulate our commerce by opening new markets in South America and Japan; Warner Miller, Forum XII 714; Judge Estee in "Proceedings of Nicaragua Canal Convention, p. 9-18.

III. It would be undesirable to allow a private corporation to own and control the canal. - (a) It would give foreign nations an opportunity to secure control. - (b) The policy of the U. S. in making its own internal improvements should be extended to apply to this case. - (c) In private hands the canal would be operated for private benefit and not for public good.

IV. The Monroe Doctrine demands that the U. S. control the canal: Tucker's Monroe Doctrine Chap. i. - (a) No foreign nation should be allowed to get control. - (b) No joint protectorate would be in consonance with the Monroe Doctrine: President Hayes' Message Mar. 8, 1880. Cong. Rec. X 1399.

V. The Clayton Bulwer treaty should not stand in our way. - (a) Its abrogation is justifiable: Rodrigues, 227; Wharton's Digest, II, 238; Tucker's Monroe Doctrine, 73.

Brief for the Negative.

W. H. DAVIS and G. O. VIRTUE.Best general references; Treaties and Conventions 1789-1886, p. 440; For'n Rel. 1881. pp. 549, 563, and 1882, pp. 302-314; Cong. Record 1892-3. 3 pp. 1630-31 (Feb'y 14, 1893); Hall's International Law 2nd Ed. 323, 328-9; Rodrigues' Panama Canal, pp. 213-220; Nation XXXIX. 492, (Dec. 11, 1884) 516, 538.

I. The Clayton-Bulwer treaty forbids such action on the part of the U. S.; Treaties and Conventions, 440. - (a) The Treaty is still in force. - (1) It is so held by Great Britain: For. Rel. 1881. p. 549. - (2) It has been recognized by the U. S. as late as 1866; Rodrigues 208, 211. - (3) There has been nothing to render the treaty void; For. Rel. 1882, p. 302; Hall 323, 328-329; Nation XXXIX; 496, (Dec. 11, 1884).

II. The canal can be built by a private company. - (a) Concessions of Nicaragua to Maritime Canal Company, 1887: Sen Reports 50 Cong. 1 Sess No. 221. - (b) The Company incorporated by Congress, 1889: Stats. at L. XXV. 673. - (c) The Company thus for successful: Cong. Record (Feb'y 14, 1893) p. 1631. - (d) The Canal should be free from domination of any country: Forum III, 409-416. (June 1887).

III. The construction and maintenance of the Canal by the United States government would be unwise. - (a) As a foreign policy. - (1) First step towards acquisition of territory in Central America; Ho. Reports 50, Cong. 2 Sess. No. 4167. p. 7. - (2) It would lead the country into complications abroad; Cleveland's First Annual Message 1883. - (b) as an industrial policy - (1) It would open the door to fraud and corruption. - (2) The Government has never shown fitness for industrial and commercial undertakings: Quar. Jour. Econ. I. 169; Polk's First Annual Message, (1845) Pol. Sci. Quar. III, 401.