The New York herald., 1879-08-07
THE INTEROCEANC CANAL.
Nicaragua'S Move to Compete with
the De LeSsepS Project.
THE WORK PROGRESSING.
Interesting Interview with the
Nlcaraguan Consul.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALp.l

.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
WASHINGTON August O. 1879.
The rather astonishing fact has come to the sur
face that while NJ dc Lesseps is soliciting subscrip
tions for his Darien canal the Nicaraguan govern
ment has part of ship canal almost ready for busi
ness 1t will be remembered that at the request of
the Nicaraguan government Chief Engineer A. G.
Menocal of the United States Navy has been granted
nve months leave OF absence to visit Nicaragua and
complete certain important improvements planned
and projected by him in that State years ago. This
request made through the Consul General of
Nicaragua in New York. who forwarded the letter to
the State Department about the middle Of last
month. The improvements spoken of
the San Juan aud the San Juan del Norte Rivers
the direct route from the Caribbean Sea to
Lake Nicaragua. Not only has the Nicaraguan
government undertaken to complete these i'm
provements. but every plan has been perfected
for opening direct navigation with Lake Nicaragua.
The Importance of this work cannot be overesti-
mated from either a national an international
point of view. The completion Of the
engineering work which Mr.. Menocal goes
ont TO superintend. besides greatly facilitating
the project Of interoceanic canal via Nicaragua
will rapidly extend and enlarge already increas-
ing commerce between that country and New York,
ana open up rich undeveloped region of country
that promises greater yield Of products and wealth
than is claimed from the Florida Ship Canal route
The Improvements of the Machuca rapids is nearly
completed and the Nicaraguan government now
proposes to build Canal with the necessary
lockage around the Castillo Rapids which will open
up an uninterrupted line of communication from
the sea to Lake Nicaragua. There will then remain
but short distance to be cut, said to be than
thirteen miles between the western boundary Of
Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific Ocean. This
portion OF the route has been already
carefully surveyed for the interoceanic canal
The advanced stage of the work along the
San Juan River and the energy which the Nicaraguan
government has determined to put forth in CON-
pleting the route between the lake and the
assurance to our government that II an inter-
oceanic canal is to be constructed it will be
by this route, in which the United States
is as largely interested as the government Of Mica
ragua. c4tt
INTERVIEW WITH THE CONSUL GENERAL OF
NICARAGUA-wHAT HE SAYS OF TIE I'M
PRovEMENrs BEING CARRIED OUT BY HIS
GOVERNMENT.
HERALD reporter had interview last evening
with Mr.. Alexander J. Cotheal. Consul General
OF Nicaragua in regard to the resources
OF a. well the improvements at pres
ent being effected in the country of which
lie Is the representative. The writer having stated
the object Of his visit, Mr.. Cotheal said:"For
eral years past the government of Nicaragua has
been turning its attention the policy internal
improvements. They have had long time of peace
now and they want to take advantage Of it. These
improvementsi we're commenced in the River san
Juan and the hsrbor of San Juan Del Norte (great
arm). where the work of dredging aud blast
ing rock has been carried for several years.
W ha ks in tha cbrco
lower rapids in the river. This of blast
ing and dredging progresses slowly only be
carried on during portion of the year, when the
water is low It is the intention to make o channel
Of six feet ut low water all the way up to the great
Lake Of Nicaragua for the benefit of the
other craft plying on the San Juan. The Castillo
Rapids, that river. is thriving settlement, but
at present 1t only be reached by small boats ex-
cept during the rainy season. when the river
Is unduly swollen. Mr. Menocal, civil
engineer. United States Navy. is now abou
beng sent there by the Nicarsguxn govern
ment to commence preparations for the
construction OF locks by means of which the river
boats may be passed around the rapids. from the
lower to the higher water. instead of dischargiug
their cargoes below and having the goods carried
around the rapids by land, at present. The,
Nicaraguan government has great confidence in Mr.
Menocal. aud will. believe carry out any sugges-
Gons lie may make He has been down there
before several times, surveying for the United
States government and also for thA NicaraRuan gov
ernment. 30 that he is well known to the latter It
he who planned the improve of the whole
River San Juan, to make it navigable for the
steamers
'will this Improvement have any bearing ON the
proposed interoceanic canal?"
''Most assuredly 1t will. As soon as continuous
navigation Is established on the river it will afford
great facilities for the construction of an inter-
oceanic canal the Nicaragua route If that route
should ever be adopted, rs 1t probably willie be-"
"The Improvement Of the San Juan, then would be
rather adverse to the Daren interoceanic canal pro-
jecty s tn.f
1T would. because the success of that scheme
would depend In great measure upon the Cali
fornia trade. That is bulky trade, and in that
respect it differs from the trade of South America,
and the California would be absorbed by the Nicara-
qua Canal, IL such were opened up"
what Is your opinion of the relative merits of
the two canal routes most prominently advocated?"
II am perfectly convinced that the Nicaragua
route 10 the only practicable an
canal and that the Darien can never DO carried
out owing to the insupersbe difficulties to be over
come" cl as.e' f.af4
''Is the Nicaraguan government engaged in any
other improvements? u.el n ts..
1T is constructing q railroad to connect tho
Corinto tport of Reaejo) the Pacific coast with
Moabita the Lake Of Managua, 80 as to de-
velop the internal commerce of the country.
EARLY in tho spring shipped. by way of
Cape Horn. the necessary equipment for
this railroad The total distance between
tho uointa In ahout aoventv n,ilea