, 1879-05-18
FOREIGN.
Papers Read Before the Canal
- Congress in Paris.
Advantages and Disadvantages
OF Various Routes Dis
CuSsed.
The Nicaragua Route Considered the
Most Practicable.
CANAL CONGRESS.


, THE INTERNATIONAL GATHERING In PARIS.
: Specfa1 DtsnascA to The Tribune
> New YoRK, May ia Paris dispatch SAYS:
The International Congress now in session here
engaged in discussing the various projects for
an inter-oceanic canal across the Isthmus, held
a long sitting to-day. All interest in the
Committee proceedings centered In the ad
dresses before the Committee for Technique
and Scientific Questions Rear-Admiral Daniel
Ammen, of the United States Navy, Vice
President Of the Congress-, was heard this
morning By the Committee at great length In
explanation Of his 2 views In favor Of
the Nicaragua route. He began by
statement of the several surveys made
since 1913, and reviewed the results.
He dwelt on the deliberation and care with
which the subject had been heretofore dis
cussed, and the importance Of mature consider
alton before SO large an outlay of money
was made. He, stated clearly the con
clusious arrived st by the Commission ap.
pointed by the United States Government, aud
dwelt upon the suficienev Of the data laid
before this Commission, and the weight due to
It's decision. The Admiral urged the acceptance
aud utilization Of all natural conditions, In
sisting that it was wiser to profit by what ad-
yantages were supplied BY the physical features
of the country than to contend against them.
'@" ''>' i. PERMANENcy
after the work WIS completed was, be insisted.
quite as important as facility Of construction.
The failure TO- secure a financial success with
the first effort would be fatal to ali future Mt
tempts. The canal is Indispensable to the COM
MERGE Of the world All nations are equally
interested. '.'
The Admiral then explained the comparative
advantages. disadvantages, and cost OF the
Nicarauea, Panama, and Atrato-Napipi routes,
| one Of which must be selected. He presented
facts and figures resulting from the surveys al
ready made tending to show that II any canal
| Is ever completed it must be the one utilizing
| the -
SAN JUAN RIVER AND LAKE NICARAGUA.
! He concluded by an expression OF the deep ID
| teresr taken in the question by the American
| people, and Of the hope that the neutrality d
| the canal would be secured BY internationa
agreement. ~z s." .
| <Aniceto G. Menoca1, Civil Engineer United
States Navy, followed, and spoke for five hours
| explaining the Nica::aguan route, and in refer
ring to maps and plans brought from the Un.tet
States. He bega11 with the elevation
and area v, OF Lake Nicaragua, dis
cussed the watershed, traced and ILLUSTRATED
the line Of the proposed canal, the entrahce
from the Atlantic and. Pacific, with workin;
| estimates for The construction OF each section
HE explained the changes that have occurred fl
Greytovn Harbor, and presented plans for re
storing its normal depth. He also
"> EXHIBITED p:DErAnED pRAwNGs
for the construction Of q harpoE at Brlton, o1
the Pacific coast: and explained an ingeniou
plan Of his own for building dams across tn
River San Juan. He was highly comp)imentet
BY many able and experienced engineers pref
ent.
I, After Engineer Monocsl had finished, Lieu'
l.. B. Wyse, Of the French Navy, made IN II
teresttng aud able speech, reviewing the whol
subject of ,inter-oceenic canals. His addres
was received with much enthusiasm.
Mr.. Menocal will resume his remarks Q
Monday in explanation and illustration OF tf
4 defects and difficulties OF the Panama an
Atrato- -Naplpi routes, in respect to the length
the tunnels or number OF locks, as compared Wit
the Nicaragua route. The latter seems to
: the one which unites the larger number OF II
l telligent advocates, andpresent indications poi1
tn its acceptauce by the Congress-