New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-09-05
TIE PARIS CONGRESS.

DIR. W. T. JOnNsTON's REPORT 10 THE GEOGRAPH-
ICAL sOCIETY-How TIE wYsE SCHEME WAS
ADOPTED -THE CONGRESS DEPLORABLE
COMEDY.
Dr. w. Il. Johnston, delegate of the Amer
lean Geographical Society toe Congress the Inter
oceanic Canal at ris. ha-. Hndcr date OF August 10,
sent report Of the work accomplished to Chef-Justice
DAY. president of the society. The most salient points
Of the report given below. The subscription has
failed. DR.. Johnston writes, but VI. dc Lesseps an
nounces that project not abandoned. aud that ho
l. going the United States to try to interest the
people ~ the scheme. The French people rad
look upon the canal question exclusively therowu.
In country fu. OF money seeking outlet, there
uray a multitude Of schemes for in Dteroceanc
canal. All these schemes submitted 20 NJ de Les
scps and were encouraged by himi but 1t waS not ill
men with prominent names came forward that he an
nounoed pubncy his sympathy and cooperation These
men were Messrs. wyse. TURF and Bixlo These gentle
men, backed by bankers and personal friends.
made their first visit to the sthmus three years ago,
and examined one OF the AtrafO routes. They came
consultation, which NJ de L-sseps took large part.
II was decided Leutenan, Wyse should return 10
OF making that the affair on which they were finally
TO settle, md AS the AFFAIR 10 which The
10 subscribe. The survey was mado-how inperfectly
was aferward shown In the Congress by the abandon
OF AL the figures. and OF even the plan the party
returned 70 Parls, and as Winter the plan OF campaign
OF putting through the Wyse scheme was organized.
An International Congress was 10 DC called. 10
give authority 10 tie scheme There Is nothing more
IN the history Of caucuso- than the eyOuons Of
tots Congress. Not only the President Of the Con
gress named In advance. bat 80 also the officers
the committees and even the work the committees
were perform. The hrs meeting did not las an hour
had hne 70 say except me president ana me
secreary, AID thi> very summary way OF treating tue
distinguished gueste. who hal come long way o. the
"study ~ the interOceani' canal ptJ e. was cnaA'
at end by the president hastily cunning the meet
ing with the remark; "Gentemen we are gong 10
RUN me ssn1F a'A'e''a' We 'AA get through by
Fortunately the American Government had given such
instructions To s delegates would meet just such an
emergency; tEey were simply 10 furnish L. The Con
gres-, for is Instruction. the fucts aud figures colcctc
al tie Bureau IN Washington. without pledgng tne
Government 20 anything When II came the turn or
MessTs. Anmen and MenOcal 10 gave "a the Congress
their figures and estimates II the different routes,
complete revolution took place IN the Congress. TIL
expose OF the American delegates was revelation 70
the whole Congress. The estimates Of Lieutenant Wysc
shown 10 be fictitious n made IN Paris with
having visited the lshmns. Lieutenant NysN
With such OF the able engineers as were pledged 10
Ms scheme went 10 work in secret committee. and
laborvd night and day t they elaborated a now plan
cover. they Thought, the objections OF Mi Memo
ca aud Win. OF coutse, nuch hlsher hkhre d c.s
committee having charge TIE estimates on tue
probable receipts and expenditures 81 te cati Nc III
strcted b. TIE president 10 TRY ana MAKE tle receipts
cover he new estimate VI cOstswhich they did with
the greatest ease Again the American engineers.
backed this time by overwhelming arguments BY Sir
John fawshaw, showed that Tie plan was still deiect-
I've and again tho Congress dlOurnrd 10 give time
~ h, Wyse secret committee 10 get up new figures and
"A new plan Al the next meeting NJ. de Lessons made
long speech wcn aroused the French enthusiasm, aAd
The effect OF when enormous. When 10 10 the
voting the Wyse scheme there We're ~ ana
~ nays oat VI total of 1875 registered delegates.
Although great Use Is being made OF this SANCTION OF
Congress, and although tue Congress In TACT con
tanned Ia ts list OF delegates many or the most dls,
giahed engineers the world whole affair Was In
reality comedy the most d"lofable KIND, ana should
wegnt Whatever IN any Interior measures ~
may desirable adopt In ne, the French have made
grave in engaging III, n-elyes IN colossal Gu
terpflse about which they knew little.