Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-13
Thursday Morning, Jan. 1s, 1881.
THE INTERocEANIc CANAL.

Thursday Morning, Jan. 13, 1881.
 THE INTERoCEANIC CANAL.
 In an article published in the Chicago TsI- 6urle General Grant very ably shows the ad- vantages to be derived from canal across the isthmus which joins North and South America, and his arguments against the Pana- ma route and in favor of the Nicaragua route are very strong ones.
 He names as the objections to the Panama scheme the floods which visit that region, the impossible and unhealthy swamps lying along its route, so destructive to human life that labor and death seem to have joined hands there, the necessity for long and expensive tunnels and open cuts for Q safe viaduct, the want of material for construction, the addi- ton of 800 miles to the distance between New York and the ports on the west coast, and the long calms prevailing in Panama bay. He places the cost of the Panama canal at $400, 900, 900, and probably much more, in cluding the payment to the Panama railroad for it's concession, and remarks: 1.-The Ameri- can capitalist would be likely to look in vain for dividends on an investment like this"
 The advantages of the Nicaragua route are, he says, the ease and economy with which the canal can be constructed the ad- mirable approaches to it from the sea, both east and west, the distance saved between Liverpool and the North American ports over that of the Panama route, the distance saved also between New York and other Atlantic cities and the ports of the United States on the Pacific; and the cost of the Nicaragua canal has never been estimated above $100,- 900, 900. Civil Engineer Menocal has esti- mated that it would cost but about S41 ,OOO,- 900. Surveys have developed extraordinary facilities for the work Construction materi- als are abundant throughout the entire line. The harbors of Brito and Greytown are capa- ble of being made convenient and excellent. The water supply from Lake Nicaragua is free from deposit, and is abundant and easily level of the canal The rainfall is not ex- cessive. The climate during the trade winds is delightful The country is capable of pro- ducing all the subsistence that would be re- quired by the laborers employed in the con- struction of the canal The local produc- tions are valuable and important articles of commerce. In the construction, feeders, tunnels and viaducts are not necessary. If constructed on this route on the es- inmates given, says General Grant, canal could rot fail to be an economical highway and profitable investment. Estimating the cost of the canal at $75 1000, GOO, charge of $2.50 for canal tolls and all other charges would give gross income of O,OOO 900 on the 1000, 900 tons upon which former calcu- lations have been based. Deducting from this $1, 300, 900 for the expenses of maintain ing and operating the canal, we have $s, ,5OO,- 900 as the net earnings of the work.
 General Grant points out that the Nicara- guam concession is made to Americans, the society is made up of Americans. all the cor porators are Americans, and the act of incor- poration is asked of an American Congress He says: Every step of this project recog- nizes the right of the United States to guard with jealous care the American continent against the encroachments of foreign powers To this policy no nation and no cluster of adjacent nations, watchful of their own indi- yidual and collective interests, should take exception. It is the foundation of national existence everywhere" He asserts that the policy announced by President Monroe is the accepted and acceptable policy of the government, and concludes as follows:
 An interoceanic canal across the American Isthmus will be the greatest thoroughfare be- tween our Atlantic and Pacific shores and virtually part of the coast line of the United States. Our merely commercial interest in | 1t is greater than that of all other countries, while its relations to our power and prosper ity as a nation, to our means of defence, our unity, peace and safety are matters of para mount concern to the people of the United States. No other great power would, under similar circumstances, fail to assert right. | full control over work so closely and vitally affecting it's interests and welfare. In accord ance with the early and later policy of the government in obedience to the often-e pressed will of the American people; with 6 1 due regard to our national dignity and power | with 8 watchful care for the safety and pros perity of our interests and industries on this continent, and with determination to guard l against even the first approach of rival pow | ers whether friendly or hostile, on these 1 shores, commend American canal or l American soil to the American people, and congratulate myself on the fact that the most careful explorations have demonstrated that | the route standing in this attitude before the world Is the one which commends itself as 6 judicions, economical and prosperous work l I have formed the opinions expressed 1T this article not from nasty consideration ot the subject and not without personal obser
 vation. While commanding the army of the United States my attention was drawn to the l importance of the water communication have here discussed. During my administra
 tion of the government I endeavored to i'm
 press upon the country the views I ther formed, and I shall feel that I have added one more act of my life to those I have al
 ready recorded if I shall succeed in impress
 ing upon Congress and the people the higf value as commercial and industrial enter prise of this work, which, if not accomplished
 by Americans, will undoubtedly be accom-
 plished by some of our rivals in power ane l influence.
 These utterances by General Grant vii have great weight, as they deserve to have
 The difference between canal costing $4OO
 900. GOO, and controlled by foreigners, ant
 one costing $1Oo, 900, 900, and controlled il
 the United States, will, it would seem. forci
 ply appeal to capitalists and patriots in thii country.