The New York herald., 1879-12-10

eeorch may surVeys,
nothing can or will be developed advantageous as
that which the surveys of our government present
for your consideration" Lieutenant Wyse's survey
undoubtedly destroyed prooccupations in Paris and
SO lar was useful To them. which they might have
effected less cost by more thorough examination
of the work that had been done by our government.
Notwithstanding what NJ de Lesseps said respect
Ing the assertions OF Lieutenant Wyse as to the n
possibility OF canal in that region. we lind in Lieu
tenant Wyse's last report tabulated statement Of
routes among which is the Tuyra-Tupisa, esti-
mated cost of 6oo.oOooOof. quote again NJ.
has replied that it (Yould bel decided for canal
niceau. That it public sentiment. l will per-
nit myself to sustain that opinion. Again m
Layallcy has studied the question of q tunnel; he
believes it certainly possible He says, it is only
question of cost
This society will be surprised to find. on reading
all that NJ de Lesseps has justly said of the high
qualities of nj. Lavalley given in the appendix,
that when the resolution was voted on he, as also
other distinguished engineers OF the French
society, were designedly absent. To the fact that
these eminent engineers have not given the sanction
of their names to what by others was regarded as
possible in engineering is probably due to the dis
credit shown to the decision of the Congress.
quote again NJ de Lesseps TN my belief we
should not make u canal with locks ut Panama, but u
canal airea; that is. believe, the opinion OF the
public, OF which am the organ at this moment.
Here we that. instead OF studying the question
as an engineer and in its economic conditions rela
lively with other routes. NJ de Lesseps pronounces
himself to be the organ OF what he believes to be
public opinion. Happily for the public its supposed
demand could swerve NJ Lavalley and others OF great
reputation.
given in the appendix. This learned and able Mn
lister of Costa Rca to our government is well known
not be considered. NJ. dc Lesseps wished nothing
more embodied in the resolution than whether
canal Il niredu via Panama was possible.
The resolution passed as he desired by such q
vote to call forth All expression OF his satisfac.
tion-this. too supported by the demands OF public
opinion. as he stated--and yet he is not happy.
l again quote NJ. de Lesscps: s:-"Since forty years
have studied the question (of the Suez Cana).
have always understood that for profit it is neces-
IN M
perfectly well make the American canal pay double
that amount. whatever project may be brought
about. These lare considerations that one Ii very
glad to know for the future.
The humanitarian idea nicely held out, and es-
pecially supported by M. Simonn, Is dropped There
remains alone the idea OF constructing canal with
out reference to whether it is the best location.
but certainly ON the line where the concessionsts
are entitled receive by the terms Of the
sion, ten per cent OF the stock issued.
The report of the Commission on Statistics of the
Congress gives the tonnage likely to pass through
the canal as follows:-
Tons.
That of the United States 1900 900
That Of France. 35G, 900
That of all other Powers 356.0O0
In the Bulletin du Canal Inter- Ocednque OF October l.
published in Paris, in the building of the Suez
Canal there is an article Of SONS length. entitled
"via Nicaragua" in which is set forth in varied
terms the egotism of the American commission on
the interoceanic canal question. shown in their
report to our government and also the same quality
shown by official delegates to the Paris Congress-.
II this egotism was shown. is supposed. in the
report, it simply in the endeavor to promote the
public interests in the most economic manner. The
narro wness of the views of the commission Is sup
posed to be shown in recommending ocksge for ves-
sells of only 400 feet i'll length, aud beam much
greater proportionately than that given vessels at
this time Without having the time or patience to
look up the French steamers, ! will venture the
opinion that all them longer than 400 feet could
be counted ON the fingers OF one hand.
The egotism OF Mr.. Menocal ana myself at the
Paris Congress, far as l am capable of judging.
confined to fair presentation of oil or the in
possession government,
perhaps feeling no very lively interest in what the
Congress would decide. not determine. which be-
longs to nature and to the keen appreciation Of
moneyed interests as to what will and what will not
pay. After the adjournment OF the Congress- an en-
gineer very much in The confidence Of M de Lesseps
said to me- "Now that the matter settled. what
amount OF money might be counted on In America
opinion. they would not get q dollar. Evidently in
my egotism, wrong-to what extent will only
be known when the Bulletin devoted to the canal in
publishes the amounts subscribed in France
aud elsewhere for the construction OF the canal q
n,veau Without assuming speak for the public
feel sure that such statement would be read with
interest.
Looking at the table just read of the tonnage Of
the different nations the egotisms Interests 7?
OF all of them in form and substance In the matter
the canal the interests OF the United States
are practically double that OF Great Britain and will
crease of population. Those France roughly.
one-third OF Great Britain. and yet il the word
egotism is proper substitution tor the word inter-
ests she has as much all the rest Of mankind.
In an interview given in the New York World OF
October M dc Lesseps is reported to have said -
"If may say SO. do not think tho Americans are
very clear sighted III this matter. They OF the
Anglo-Saxon race and 1t is. to some extent ques-
ton of race.
..The Anglo-Saxon race is unequaled for it's power
Of dealing with the circumstances immediately be-
fore it, but do not think it far in the fu
ture.
''The Latin race has somewhat wider intellectual
horizon.
He regards the Anglo-Saxon race as eminently
practical, and without being OF 1t we'll believe
him. Granting his foreseeing power, may we not
ask the probable number OF Anglo-Saxons on this
continent at the end OF this century. and at that
time, Also of those inhabiting Australia and the
Pacific islands? Awaiting this reply, may we not
without egotism assume it be roughly i00 OOO 600
of people? We can leave to NJ. de Lesseps with his
long view the contemplation OF the end Ut the next
century the period A. d. 1000. Still. even to our
obscured vision. there seems mighty multitude OF
mon shall we give It shape in supposing 1t to num-
Der at the least 800 100000?
Dropping the consideration OF humanitarian ideas
so unhappiy dispeled. and looking at 1t as plain
business matter, could we not submit the question
to the citizens OF the two Powers hrst named.
whether,it would not be worth while to consider
the construction of canal on commercial basis
and with reference to careful examination OF ali OF
the points involved and II found practicable in that
view do the work. and II other se. develop through
the United States and the Canadas such additional
railroads as would ameliorate the commerce OF
which they are 80 largely the factors?
After considering the proceedings or the 80 In the
general session and part Of the proceedings OF the
Technical Com mission OF the Goth May. AS given IN
the appendix. we can proceed to consider the vote
more in ntellgeDtly. resolution was introduced to
conform to the wishes, as Expressed OF Nj. do Les
seps. 1t is as follows:
'.Thc Congress considers that the piercing of ar
interoceanc canal at constant level. so desirable
i'll the interests OF commerce ana navigation IL pos
sibe and that maritime canal. to respond to al
indispensable facility of and utilization which
q work OF this kind should Offer should be located
between the Gulf of Limon and the Bay of Panama.
The official vote. M given in the proceedings. Is ~
follows: MOT voting. ~; against the resolution. 3
in favor OF it. rs. The most significant figure 1,
omitted. As counted up on the record, 30 were
absent. among whom were considerable number o.
engineers note and perhaps half dozen delegates
who were not in attendance during the session.
Had it not been that the expression OF my absence
from voting was regarded ''enigma' which haI
been solved in the bulletin of October l. 1 would not
have alluded to it, l abstaned from voting on tho
ground that "only able engineers can form an
opinion, after careful study, OF what is actually
possible and what Is relatively economical in thu
construction OF q ship canal" feel sure that Il
will excite smile among us to suppose this in any
degree engmatical, and may recall the ideas 50 lu
dicrously shown in the comedy OF tho "Irish Am
bassador.
In relation to the vote and to the DELEGATES
pamphlet published in Paris entitled 'Panama
400, ,0O0, 900 L eau" gives the following:-
.I.et 1t be remarked that one-half OF the members
a.t .l,.u.