New-York tribune., 1879-12-30
EARIOUS ISTHMUS ROUTES.

DISCUSSIONS ABOUT RAILROADS AND CANALs-A
VISIT FROM BARON DE LEssEPs.
The discussion over the different inter-Ocean
routes for canals aud railroads the Isthmus Of Pan
anna OF IA Central America, which has been held for
several evenings at the meetings Of the NewYork Geo
graphical Society, completed last evening.
II. II. Hall, who Is one of the directors and the
general manager of the Tehuantepec Interocean Rail-
road spoke on behalf OF that He said that its
grant gave authority to Edward Learned. the
president. and his associates 10 build and main
tain for nnety-nine wears railroad across
the lsthmus of Tehuantepec. The Eastern
terminus would be at the mouth OF the Coatzacoalcos
River; It would 40 milos southeast from Vera
Cruz; thence southwest across the plains TO the
tain ranges, through tho Chvela Passes. and
thence across the plains TO the inland lakes
called the Upper Lagoon. The entire length would
be from 40 70 $50 miles. The Eastern terminus would
2076 miles from San Francisco and 1883 miles from
New-York. The pass 76O feet above the sea- and
the climate throughout the most of the was
delightful The lagoon would form fine harbor
twelve miles in breadth. sixteen miles
in length and from 10 to 81 feet in depth. canal ID
miles In length would have 10 be cut from the lagoon
to the By cutting away bar good harb0r
could be secured the Gulf side The
saving In time would not be so much 10
Europe from ports on the Pacific to New-Iork. Yet
from Australia the United states takes fOrytwO
thrty-wo days. The estimates OF engineers PIT the
Of the work at S4,5O0.000 and of improving The
harbors at IL 100000.
John Body rcprcsented ed the interests of those
concerned In the building OF the Nicaragua Canal said
that had connected with the project since 1880
and had spent much time In the region The
great advantage OF this route he declared to
rest In the fact that the summit level
Of the canal would I've Lake Nicaragua. with ITS mex
haustable supply of water, lO3 feet abO level
The canal wOnld dass two ranges of mountains at
lower point Of the whole that separates the
Atlantic and Pacific from end OF
the continent the other This the only canal
locks would be needed. however, TO overcome the
and descent. The speaker thought n would be
better pay twice much for canal by the Ncara
guam by the Panama route bur in reality
II would not hall much. The estimated cost was
T3l. 100000.
No one present TO set forth the claims OF the
Panama route but Presto mt DAILY tad that at subs
quent meeting something gnt be said this srect.
He had invited NJ de Lesseps 10 meet the society and
the latter had promised that lac would do
ne returned from the Isthmus
Frederick NJ, Kelly spOkc earnestly In behalf OF the
San Bias Canal route. He said thaI only ques-
lion or tine when great ship canal without locks
any proper shpcaual could he constructed uniting the
two oceans for less than $1O0O000OO. The San Bias
the shortest and therefore the best tunnel
for miles would be necessary. 80 feet In width
and l25 feet above canal bottom. More than 100 SHIPS
cOd through from end 10 end In twelve hours and
the other direction In the aiming twelve
hours Of the dav. This more than could be done
and II the canal had be embarked with stone, 800.
100000 more A single lock would be necessary TO
the difference between the tides of the two