The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-29

out success and Great Britain was at war with
France and her American colonies as wei as with
other Powers during great part OF the century.
During the latter part OF the eighteenth century
the Spanish Americans became FESTIVE under the
rule OF the mother country Some time in 1890
General Don Francesca Miranda, one OF the earliest
martyrs to south American independence, proposed
TO Mr.. Pitt the Prime Minister Of Great Britain. a
project for ship canal ..as means TO the emanc-
patton of the Spanish colonies and furtherance OF
British commerce in the southern and eastern
seasn A few years later he held conference In
Paris with prominent men, aud the result was a
proposition now on file In the archives OF the British
Foreign. ONCE, for the United States TO send an
armament OF TO- 900 men and fleet, Jointly with Great
Britain. ana take possession OF the Isthmus OF Da
rien. Mr.. Pitt lent favorable ear TO this second
proposition, which would most probably have been
carried into effect had not the vacilatng policy oil
President Adams prevented Its acceptance. Among
the writings OF Jefferson VIII be found expressions
OF regret at the neglect OF The government IN TINS
matter. IL was an opportunity for the republic to
gain q permanent ioothold in Central America
which never after offered Itself. 1t Is not too mucn
to assert that had the sthnus been occupied Jointly
with Great Britain the boundaries OF the United
States would have to-day extended beyond the
limits OF the present republic OF Colombia.
Let the mind contemplate for moment an EN-
pire SO vast as this would have been. Observe how
the carelessness OF one man prevented glorious
achievement.
WHERE TO REND A CONTINENT IN TWAIN.
To the great Humboldt the world Is greatly
indebted for much valuable information regarding
the most practicable routes for connecting the
oceans and, IL may also be sa1d for revving among
nations possessing extensive commercial relations
an active sympathy with the project. His plans en
braced 1--WE routes proper which were afterwards SO
divided as to form some eighteen or nineteen
projects, as enumerated oy rear Admiral 7: Il.
some three years ago. The nrst lies across the
Istnmus of Tehuantepec, rs given elsewhere. THIS
must at this day, be excluded from serious con-
sderation interesting as Is the records or Efforts
such direction. Humboldt, 1t Is true, recommended
it, but as his Information was derived from old
maps charts, writings, and from tradition and con-
versation with individuals III Mexico, 1t Is not sur
prisng That he fell into error. We must therefore,
as possessing no merit al "a practicable route for
ship cana.u In 1914 the Spanish government did,
indeed, with characteristic indifference TO .practi-
cablty and cost, order the construction OF canal,
1888 miles in length, Tehuantepec but before
anything could be done the revolution In Mexico
broke out and the rule OF spain over the lsthmus
ceased. subsequently, by order OF the Mexican gov
eminent, General orbegoso made not very
thorough survey but one sufiSen,y accurate to
authorize his reporting canal utterly lmpractl-
cable.
raeua route, Notwithstanding the prominence tnat
has been given to and expectations 1t has raised.
In the report ALREADY referred 10, Admiral DAVIS
speaks OF 1t at some length, accompanying his
review with the remark thathe should feel autho-
rlzed, under ordinary circumstances, to pass over
this region In q few words,o on account
of the many difficulties attending it, had
not so much been said and written about 1t by emf
nent authorities Seven canals, running in various
directions, were projected at various times on thus
route, OF which the TWO finding their terminus at
Brito and san Juan del sur, have alone been thor
oughy and accurately surveyed. In 1889 Mr.. Bailey,
half pay olicer OF the British army, made "A survey
OF the lake, rivers and country, and In 1916 tue
present Emperor OF the French published a work
OF the route AT the surface there was
much to recommend 1t. Lake Nicaragua and the
san Juan river are both navlgabe-their water com
reduce the lstnmus to onetenth OF Its
whole breadtn''-and tue surrounding region OF
country cannot be surpassed In agricultural and |
mineral resources. But to counterbaance these adj
yanages are several natural obstacles which cannot
be removed. The climate Ia insaubrous, EARTH /
quakes are OF frequent occurrence and violent,
and the entire region is volcanic We have /
the testimony OF Admiral Fitz Roy against the
OF canal on this route; and,
TO add 10 the evidence against IT, we nave
the report OF Messrs. Child a. Fay, who made
. survey Tor the American Atlantic aud Pacnc sup
Canal Company during the years ie60-oi. An easy
route, l94 miles In length selected by them lt
required twenty-eight locks between the Pacific
Ocean and the Caribbean sea- two artificial harDors
On the lake and extensive Improvements IN the
rhe work required I5f soSf ah snterpfisa Would be
anQEWQus. ut may be safely asserted, y Admiral
DavB writes, 'that no enterprise, presenting such
formidable difficulties VIII ever be NORTHUMBERLAND