The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-02
TNE NICiRlGUi CANAL.
The Merits of the Two Interoceanic
Routes To Be Finally Settled.
ARRIVAL OF TIE ENGINEERS.
Prospects of an Early Solution of
the Great Problem.

The possfoafty or a neac issue or faconcertdole
paper Iregard tcfth amazene7a and anrietg, and,
IN. ssV Judgment such issue tcould be detf'i
isae,st and a shame.-CHARLEs SUMNER.
GREYrowN, Nicaragua March IA, 1874.
SO much has been said and written upon the SUBJ
uect OF an interoceanic canal between the Atlantic
land Pacific for the last 800 years that 1t would be
positively absurd at tins late day to direct pubic
iattention to the importance Of an undertaking
(which has so long exercised some OF the greatest
minds the world has ever seen Well and truly
has tt been described as the most momentous
event probably In favor or the peaceful intercourse
pof nations which the physical circumstances OF the
globe present to the enterprise OF man. And while
rhe necessity for such a highway between the TWO
oceans has been admitted for centuries, 1t seems
strange, indeed, that 80 few successful efforts
should have been made to solve the problem. 1t
may be that the feasibility OF the routes hitherto
explored and surveyed has never been satisfactorily
proved. Scores OF INSCRIPTIONS adventurers
have with graceful aud ready pen de-
ecribed the simplicity and cheapness OF
pet though impractlcsble schemes: have
pictured in glowing and gassy terms their wonder
aal exploits and discoveries, and time and time
again nave raised the hopes Of the community that
the day was close at hand when the great project
should be undertaken. Careful and accurate ex-
aminations, attended ottentimes with hardship,
peril and death. have, however. demonstrated the
1alacy. and, in some instances, even crime,
OF these pretentious humbues, who, never
having even visited the regions they ven
rured to depict, cared not for the
suits OF their highly Favored connections so
long as they enjoyed temporary fame and brought
grist TO their dishonest mills 1 speak not, OF
course OF the noble. seif-sacrfcing explorers who
dor years nave perslstenty expended their time
and money in endeavorlng to benefit the world at
barge, and the records of whose researches are
hu OF interest and instruction; but OF the literary
harpes who from time immemorial, have in
Vested every land and have handed down their
Misrepresentation without quam. Dazzed with
1.-THE glittering prospect of in some way assocating
ther names with the discovery OF Q canal route.
these people have not hesitated to proclaim state
ments OF the most encouraging nature, but which
upon investigation we're found to be utterly des-
Hltute OF truth and no field has proved more fruit
hui for imaginative spectators than the compare
lively unknown land from Nicaragua to Darten.
But OF late years the tide has turned. We are now
In possession OF pretty lair estimate OF the value
which attaches to the several routss hitherto ex-
amined and surveyed Happily. their number is
decreasing SO far as their practicabnisy is con-
cerned and before long there win be few from
which the enterprising genius OF the world can
select, so that, brought within the narrowest pos
slble limits the question OF an
INTERoC EANIc CANAL
must be confined simply to the expenditure OF the
necessary funds. While the canal problem may be
generally regarded one Of ages it can no
nonger be doubted that the real issues have already
been determined. At this stage details only
aeit for cons deration Whether 1t is reserved for
the nineteenth century to witness the re-
moval OF the barrier dividing the East
1rom the West remains IN ne seen San.
guine hopes entertained that it will, and no
more promising evidence OF this could be advanced
than the present arrangement for sending the
civil and military engineers to examine and report
hnaIly on the Atrato and Nicaraguan routes. or
ali the schemes hitherto presented az water CON-
munication between the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans but three remain which merit any atten-
tion-namely. the Nicaraguan, the Asrato and
that adjacent TO the line OF the Panama
Railroad. For some reason. however, the last
mentioned route does not come within the scope OF
| ne present investigation, though there are many
who insist that 1t has strong claims on public at
teation Howbet the experts will confine their
examination to the Asrato and Nicarag uan routes,
and whatever may be the result OF their labors
there is 40 doubt that their decision, whether in
favor of the other, viii be awaited with
universal interest. Their report will unquestion-
ably be conclusive, ana Will generally be regarded
10y scientific men the nnal settlement OF ques-
zion which has provoked so much discussion and
which has so long remained unsoved.
SURVEYS.
Those interested in the subject OF interoceanic
communication will, doubtless, remember that
alter several important and exhaustive surveys
had been completed under the auspices OF the
United states government 1t was determined to
bring the matter to satisfactory solution,
and for that purpose President Grant appointed
1aree Commissioners, consisting OF Commodore
Ammen, United states Navy; General HUMPHREYS,
Pierce, TO examine and report upon the
various routes OF lnteroceanic communication
winch had been surveyed. In order the more
thoroughly to carry out the object IN view
personal inspection OF some OF the lines was
Was resolved TO invite several eminent engineers,
who would themselves examine the features Of one
or more ol the routes which OF late had been
prominently brought before the public and spoken
OF as the most feasible Tor canal from the Atlantic
Uap wsre
lHuer, Engineer corps United States Army; Civil
Engineers Walton, Of New Orleans Bryant God
rMltchen, OF the United states Coast Survey. After
due consideration u was agreed that the inspec-
ton and examination should be confined
10 the Nicaragua Atrato routes
that Commander h. 7. Lun, with Lieu
former last year. should accompany the party over
the entire line 4 ON Greytown 10 Brito the west
Iern terminus the Pacific slde ana that Com.
mander I. q. seliridge, with Lieutenant j. r. SUN.
wan should subsequently conduct Them over the
Atrato route in order that the merits or each
might be finally determined. mention these pre-
limlnary matters in order that the object OF the
commission may be the better understood, and il
will readily DE observed that the intelligence
ability and experience OF which 1t Is composed are
sufficient guarantee for the impartialty and
sound discrimination which Will doubtless, marx
tue decision 10 be arrived at. ne main features
ol each route 10 be thoroughly examined aud.
as the commanding officers to whom were allotted
1he duty oil surveying
THE rw0 DIFFERENT ROUTES
will undertake the task OF giving all necessary in
FORMATION TO the party, II Is reasonable 70 assume
That no element Will be omitted that might assist
the commission In coming TO just conclusion.
PROGRESS.
On the 27th ult. the commissioners left Pensa-
cola Ia the United states steamer Gettysburg,
Lieutenant ID. J. NcRitchIe commanding, and alter
touching at Key West arrived at this historic spot
at sunset, on the evening OF the It'll Inst. The
splendid harbor which some years existed here