New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-03-10
TIE INTEROCEANIC CANAL.
POSSIBILITIES OF ITS COMPLETION.


rIrT-rLNANr ~ B. wYsE's VISIT TO ms COUN-
TEY-rnE HISTORY OF IHE FIRST SURVEYS
The mission of Lieutenant n. b. Wyse, OF
the French Navy to this city aud Washington, reyye'
interest in the question ship canal across
the American Isihmus. Lieutenant NySe, WHO
Is a relative of Prince Luo'en b'haPat"' n''
made two surveys across the lslnuu' III INC
interest OF body Of French capitalists an"
scientists, his own enthusiasm Tor inc uHueI''A-
ing having excited them - render the necessary nin
cja assistance Ferdinand DE Lesseps, whose name IL
scp,rably connected with the Sdcz Canal has inter-
csted himself IN this more stupcndous project OF
caroI either over or through the chain OF MOUNTAINS
10 which the narrow Central America owes us existence
above water whichever route Is chosen III the e''l'
OF the G crp3 ses reaching practical pegnhInB II WI"
SIM ne question for the engineers 10 decide whether
the canal shall be carried over the hgnl1 "s by iIon
twenty to tArty-dve locks shall be cut through inc
mountains. The latter plan will involve The novel iea-
ture Of tunnel six miles long 100 iret Woo ~
the base and about 100 feet IN height Numerous sur
veys have marked out five or Fix different routes ~
beng practicable engineers think for elther tunnc
or q canal with locks.
since I,euteuant WISE made MS last survey and So
cured also a concession from the Colombian Govern
men the French gentlemen who have interested 'H''n
solve, in the enterprise have shown disposition to take
active and practical measures 70 realize |'Al WOMB oe
eft the commerce Of the world They announce u rs
their IN ention to make the enterprise 'i A'i0h' "
character 10 this end W.. de Less"s has issued INVITA-
uous 70 all maritime counrc, 70 send delegates 10 an
international Congress which viii br held In Paris MAS
II and will have for its object the discussion OF the
vorous routes proposed for SHIP canal and tho deter
u,tpation II possibe OF the most feasible one NJ DC
Irsscps pro sses to feel No anxiety ABOUT raising 'i'
ritbtv or one hundred and twenty millions oi "'h4is
needed 10 accomplish tie work, for DE mas shd '"'t n
y,iIuudertake 10 have the whole amount subscribed
fifteen DAYS after the Congress settles upon prdct'a
route and moIo Of accomplishing TIC project Leu
tenant Wv.e has been sent to tins country 90 confer
with Government authorities about NJ. dc LesSePs
mans ~ urge American representation at tn Congress
and also To EXAMINE the plans ami maps OF American
cxtlorsr7 aud inquire NJ" 'mg I' t i, ,,l Was
made i'm ISL at the expense of Frelecb a. kery 'I
iIt CIV mon, a " ulsi bauker and T. b. James ana
i'IlIII ibc Atrata aud san Juan Rivers. In 1SJ2 Mr.
.@y sa,f out two of:er surveying parties. and ad
lo.I surveys were made DO tie Two succeeding years
H. I-5-. tine means OF sending 3rsa'I I'
Nlculrr to ycrify "reyic'!s surveys. The civil wr
ncryepcd 70 pr vent tn carryu. ont ~ plau- OF more
exact surveys. IN 1868 Mr. krucy'- attention was
CALI, tu tn 3an Bias route Us being shorter ana more
T.: ialc tha aay of nose Ice Had heretofore examined
lie b. - exn- Ell b OVID m'aha' sut score. inc co.
furnished tlrec-Carlhs OF the money needed TO
Merrill who since died, also contributed 10 ue en-
fcrpri,c Captain Norman Rude made simple DAro-
circal surv y, which Was fa1Trd by re-uiar sUrHeF
utGcr 4. McDoughI, S'o.cI 'HSlhU'' Actoi ul'I ~
IN survey Il appeared that the SIN Bt' route was Inc
sholc, Of all and offered GOOD naIhors al each term
nus. The distance across the IsthmH' at ms olLI
thirty miles. Beginning IL san BIAS Bay Oh me Auahuc
side, the pan t. coastrut. cana tilIicer Ics
sen mile, through the s0ud r1ch. forming tunnel OF
the dimensions mentioned rove coming oul Oh III 81
cillc side INFO The Bdyaho hVrr' t'da NIc''l, 'nlp3
DID,. INTO the Bay OF Panama ten miles AWAY. II If esl-
MA ell that tins route would not require above eighty
Who headed Government survey party in
I-70'7i. partly surveyed the san Bias
ronte and reported that II would require tunnel ten
mics long Instead OF seven. Bat tau,o WHO made tho