New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-22

urged by the opponents of the canal as an insurer
able obstacle, but they either misunderstood the
physical conditions on the lsthmus or they wIllnIv
misrepresented the situation. Such visitation as
that which occurred in November had never De,,
fore been known. This, however. bad happened
once. and might happen again The TIDE OF the AI,
lantic was driven inland by the force OF the WIND
until it met the swollen waters OF the Chagres,
vast inland lake on the flats about that riVef
These combined waters. brought together by
storm the severity of which was unprecedented
had risen to point within few inches oil the par
bacoas Bridge. Should the canal be built. the art
from it and from the cuttings OF the Chagres RIVER
would form n dyke which would protect the caD9i
from the action of any storm of double the strength
and threeiOld the capacity for destructlVeDess OF
that which prevailed in November The tide OF
itself not o very great bugbear. Were it NOT
for the back waters, the inland lake as II were, IL
would be harmless. To obviate the floods OF the
river it would be necessary to thin out the trees
clear away the underbrush and vegetation. and Gu,
Oft the sharp elbows of the Chagres. Room would
then be gwen for the easy flow of the waters TO the
sea. The expense would be no more than that o.
clearing up any new country. The area 10 wOuIt
be necessary TO clear up to bring about such result
would be very small.
In response to question as to where the money
would come from to build the canal NJ. de Lcsseps
said that when he commenced the construction OF
the Suez Canal he had very little money and II he
had waited. until tho money had been
paid in before he began that great WORK
would have been still unfinished. But he under
took tliIs work under more favorable auspices
Friends of his capitalists IN France had advsss ea M
the Ishmus confident that the canal could be CON
sIructed at the estimate made by the engineer VINO
had preceded him. To make assurance dOu0ly
sure. however. he had determined TO make an ex-
haustive survey Of the route. III the Commission
discovered that the estimates were too low, II IL
was |, and that the canal would cost more money
than tney had been led to believe, and when COM
peted would fail To pay q reasonable return 10
those who had invested IN 1t. he should abandon
the project at once. He had come ont OF the SneZ
Canal n poor man, but with certain amount OF
reputatiCn. He came TO Panama. not TO make
money but to axe the construction of tins canai
the crowning work of his deeining years. IL would
be a miserable termination of an honorable career
should lac now undertake such a scheme aud make
"A failure With only desire TO serve his ienOW
men and confirm the good opinion already formed
or him ho was not likely TO be led av ny by rash or
visionary schemes. lie believed when ne came
here that the canal could be buiit, every nyeStlga
ton since bis arrival had confirmed that helier ana
he felt fairly confident now that the survey would
trumphanily vindcate his Judgment. II SO the
money would be furnished at once and The canal
begun HIS friends in france would supply tue
whole amount necessary Tor Its construction. lie
talked with gravity and carnestnesS and produced
q very favorable impression both OF his sincerity
and ability.
In conversation TrenOr w. Park, president OF the
Panama Railroad, said that lie had become con-
yInced since his arrival on the lsthmus that a
canal TO Le of any use I,ust be without locks lie
ADDED that he had come to the lsthnius on nus reg
uar annual trip TO visit and inspect tne raliI9au.
The canal company. III case IL was detcfMlncu 10
go ahead with the project, would buy the raiiroad
for "a sum which would be satisfactory to the board
of Directors and stockholders. The directors Ill the
main confirmed the views of Mr. Park.