The New York herald., 1879-08-22
DE LESSEPS SCHEME.
Arrival Here Of an Agent Of the
Darien Canal Projectors.
COMBATING NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
The Great-Engineer's Approaching Visit
His Hopes and Plans.

With vicw to overcoming the oppoa,tion which
has developed in this country to tine Darien Canal
project and to advance the nterprse III all possoe
ways. NJ. de Lesscps has decided to visit America.
He will probably arrive next month. but in order 10
prepare the way Tor his coming another representa-
tive OF tho embryo company has been sent here for
the express purposes of spreading information
as TO the precise nature Of the work to DO
done and OF ascertaining the true source and
extent OF the dissatisfaction with the scheme
which led to the failure OF the recent subscrip-
ton. The precursor OF the great engineer
arrived this oty yesterday by the steamer France
from Havre. He is Mr.. Nathan Appleton. Boston
gentleman, who selected by the United States
Board Of Trade and the New York Geographical So
ciety represent them in the Congress that adopted
the Darien project, and his exact status was defined
by himself in tho following terms during conyer-
sation that HERALD reporter had with him yester-
day vt the Hoffman use:--"The company is not
yet legally incorporated. said he. "for the French
law makes that slow process. but ! am the repre-
sentative OF the body who will form the active part
OF the company, and am assured by N. de Lessops
that he will present my name to the company wher
1t is formed for election ~ its American agent.
.'What is tho precise nature Of your present mis-
sion1'
'.we believe that the opposition iii this country
comes from want Of definite knowledge concern
ing the enterprise. Now what propose to do is to
place the whole matter clearly before the American
public. will lecture on it aud will consult with
capitalists and all other parties Interested"
What will NJ. do Lesseps do?
'ue will travel the continent, visiting all the
principal cities, comforting with important persons
cited. chiefly, am convinced. by those whose inter-
est 1t IL to prevent the construction OF any canal
who3have got so-called concessions from some State
through which some of the other routes pass.
''Do You expect to successfully overcome tho evil
regard at present existing toward your schemey
II cannot speak. OF course. with security. But
think the Americans sensible people, and will
sec that they will gain more BY the realization
OF the plan than any other nation.
GOVERNMENT GUARANrEE NEEDED.
"But, though ANXIOUS for a canal. they may con-
slider the present proposition Objectionable for poll
'.There can be no such objection. The canal is to
be constructed and managed entirely III private
terprise. No government was asked to guarantee
the promised interest on tho subscriptions. and
none TO guarantee the neutrality. The Congress
considered that the neutrality OF the passage in the
hands of privae company would take care OF
itself"
..But Americans may think some other track more
desirable than the Darien one?"
''Ours is, in my opinion, the only feasible one.
The only other that has any support Is the Lull and
Aenocaf roure. which was before adopted by COM
mission of this government But believe that when
that canal would be completed 1t would remain
a mere curiosity. like the Pyramids OF Egypt.
don't think moro than hve ships each way, total
OF ten daily could pass through it, The levy the
tonnage that could be transmitted through the
seventeen locks that 1t involves would not pay the
enormous WORKING expenses ny our route the
whole course is level. At most there Is but one
tide lock u. the end-WhJch Nj. Qe LesSepS does not
think Will be needed-and We can send through fifty
vessels day..
cit has been said that the plan has been adopted
without any proper survey, any adequate calcula-
ton OF the difficulties to be encountered, or any
proper estimate Of the cost. Some even claim that
your plan is not feasible at all?"
''The routes all referred to o technical COM
mittee OF about forty of the leading engineers in
Europe. They selected six. all of which they be-
lieved could be carried out tar construction
went. Our route of the six. The only
great difficulty our plan presents is the deep cutting
OF neari. iorr miles. But when you set this OF
against the fact that the distance to be excavted IL
only quarter OF that in the Lull-Menocul' route,
this difficulty fades into insgnificance."
''If you do not succeed in overcoming American
opposition will the work go on all the sameT
II expect Most of the capital will come from
France. aud don't how the national govern
ment of this country interfere any for
its doing In many respects the work will be
essentially American one. The principal offices
will be in New York, the work will be carried on
from here aud much profit will be derived here from
the mera construction. The finance alone will
centre in France"
'Snce the present subscription is Withdrawn how
will the work be pushed noww
"A meeting of the present subscribers will be
called in month or two and they will decide the
future action, whether the project be abandoned
q now subscription opened believe there will be
abandonment now. The work will go NJ
Blanchet. engineer. came here in the same vessel
with to proceed ut once to Darien q pioneer"