The New York herald., 1866-03-16
The Proposed Engiish Transit Route to
the Pacinc.

= ~ e~OE~~~0 .s~AAsSW AHeASAs AsO0s~ -
the Pacinc.
The latest development Of the many Eu-
ropean schemes to obtain commercial and politi-
cal influence in the Pacific, is the lecture de-
livered short time ago in England by Captain
PIN, Of the British navy, formerly known as an
Arctic navigator, but Of late years an explorer
in Central America, with view to establish
connection between the Pacific and Atlantic,
to be used for European interest in opposition
to the Panama route controlled by the United
States. This question Of new transit route
has been long agitated by European nations
Napoleon had pet scheme of ship canal
across Nicaragua, which he concocted while in
the fortress Of Ham, Many years later. it will
be remembered, he sent out the little diplomat,
Monsieur Felix Belly, to make examinations in
Central America, but his labors did not amount
to anything practical. The principal difficult
ties in the way of transit route in this direc-
ton have been found in the disturbed
condition of Nicaragua and the neighboring
States. But, according to the statements of
Captain PIN, he has at length secured-after
many years of patient labor and frequent
vists-a contract from the Congress of Nicara-
qua for the right of way across that State for
ninety years, as we'll as other advantages, such
as grant of million and half acres of min
eral lands Fortified with these assurances
he proposes to construct railroad from Cor
gon Bay, on the Atlantic side, to Realejo, on
the Pacific, making connection for the present
between the intermediate termini Of the Allan
tic and Pacific divisions by steamers on Lake
Nicaragua.
Starting out by showing that the Panama
Railroad is a monopoly of American citizens,
and II very oppressive to English interests
not alone on the Isthmus, but on the Pacific
and in the British colony of Columbia English
commerce being, in fact, seriously jeopardized
in these quarters, he thinks that England ought
to have . road Of her own to the Pacific, and
Nicaragua is just the place to construct IT.
Such road he regards as 70 stepping stone
toa wonderful increase Of our commerce, and
. guarantee against the surprise and disaster
which at present could be inflicted on our poll
teal and commercial interests In the Pacific,
with entire imPunity, by rival nation"
The cost Of this railroad is estimated
at two and . half millions sterling. The
distance to be traversed is about two
hundred and twenty-five miles, ninety Of which
Is to be by water until the road Is finished
round the margin Of the lake. Captain PIN
was perplexed concerning an available port
on the Atlantic coast, the harbor Of Grey
town being filed up with sand, but he alight-
ed upon little bay inclosed within Monkey
Point, three miles north of Greytown, to which
he gave the name Of Gorgon Bay, after the
ship be commanded. We believe, however,
that the harbor of Greytown has since been
cleared out by the San Juan river, and is now
quite practicable as place Of entry for vessels.
The object of Captain Pins lecture, we dare
say, il to obtain the sanction of the British gov
ernment for this scheme. Louis Napoleon has
already favored 1t, and would no doubt be
glad to see 1t carried out If France could have
a controlling power; but Captain PIN evident
ly desires, like true son Of Britain, that his
own country should have all the advantages.
Hence he appeals to the British government
and British capitalists that "all may be accom-
plished in the interests of England" in the
great commercial battle, in which, II England
is defeated, she will be "overshadowed once
and forever" He very sagely concludes that
sour great rival, now that their war is con-
cluded, will strain every nerve to beat us as
a nation in the commercial race, and, as a ma
ton, catch us mapping, however sharp we may
be individually" and that II this transit route is
not constructed, England will have the pedestal
she now stands on knocked from under her feet,
because America is rapidly overtaking Great
Britain in commercial progress, and in the year
1890, according to the present ratio Of increase,
will double the population Of the latter coun-
which we may say that Captain PIN is entirely
correct, and we thoroughly endorse his opinions
upon this point.
II IL evident, upon the whole, that both Eng
land and France are exceedingly uneasy, and
with good reason, about the vast strides which
this country Is making towards commercial and
political supremacy among the nations, ss the
present revived effort to obtain foothold in
Central America very clearly shows. The mind
Of the French Emperor has been directed TO
that end for many years. Indeed his Mexican
scheme had Its inception in the idea that the
progress Of the United States was about 10 re-
ceive severe check by means of the rebellion,
through which he, a. well as our neutral friends
in England, expected to see the power and
greatness Of this country prostratsd. And
ha wing hecu deceivcd In this cYuocta tim thev
are falling back upon the plan Of a transit route
to the Pacific, which they can control, and
thereby circumscribe, IL they can, our growing
influence In that ocean and In the East
swNDLNo Cur AND OTHER LOTTERIES.
have repeatedly cautioned the public, especially
the country people, against being deceived by
sx.i1dliax szia and othar la4taxiau. hax