Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-02
WHAT IS DOING ON THE PANAMA

The value of a canal which enables the
navigator to pass-by means of a canal cut
through an isthmus-through continent
instead of around it, is fully demonstrated
in the success of the Suez canal. When
that canal was projected, and while ii WIS
in course Of construction, England treated
the project with indifference, declaring that
natural obstacles made its preservation,
even if cut through the isthmns, impossible.
So greatly did the success of the canal
change public opinion that England, at an
immense expense, purchased large numb
of its shares, and to-day it finds that canal
insufficient for its wants and situated out oil
the line Of commerce, and it is discussing
proposition TO construct new canal from
Alexandria to Cairo, and thence to Suez
az ihe terminus of the present eaDal. This
- a great change, and it proves how even
great, shrewd and intelligent people may be
mistaken We in the United States are
acting with reference to the Panama canSI
"a the English did with respect to the Suez
canal 1t is true that we may be right in 30
doing, but ought not the example OF the En-
glish induce US to take-step to be sure that
we are not repeating England's mistake? Ev-
identity the question merits eur most earne
attention., for canal cannot be cut through
the American isthmus without the national
interests of the country being profoundly al
fected. No country away from thecanal can
be affected BY its existence as our owa. 1t
will touch our commercial interests, affett
our communication With a Large portion OF
sur own territory, and in an important de-
gree bear upon our relations with foreign
governments. Whatever steps we take with |
reference 10 the Panama canal, a position II /
lstless indifference TO matter that greatly |
concerns us is manifstly erroneous. But |
will the canal be built2 Apparently it will.
The work is going on, and those who are en-
ssged in it sneak of it with the utmost |
confidence. Mons. Verbrugge, the resident
superintendent OF the work, was in New |
York last week, on his way TO Paris, where
he goes TO consult With Nous. De Les
seps A reporter OF the New York Post had
a conversation with him, when he epoke oil
the completion of the canal in 1888, or very
son alter, as undoubted He said fault had
been found because actual digging had not /
been begun, but Mons. De Lesseps wss |
too well experienced in great engineering
work to do anything until full surveys were
completed and plans matured. Everything |
bad been ascertained as TO the amount and
nature of the work 10 be done in every
part; the line and lis environs had been
studied, foot by foot. The outlets for earth,
the inlets for water. and the thousand other
details were noted, 90 that no error shodld
involve increase Of cost. Houses, hospitals,
and the necessary shops and Offices, had been
put up. The work will be cut up into rs
many different contracts, and actual digging
will be less undertaking than what has
already been accomplished Contracts let
out so FAR have been at rates below the orig
anal estimates except the mason work, which
Is not extensive, and in that there is diff {
Guilty, owing TO the scarcity OF skilled work
men. Slaven Co., OF San Francisco, have
contracted TO cut the canal six miles toto
the interior from Colon. They have already
built Tor the work three Of the most power
lad steam dredges in the world, each |
one will do the work Of an army OF men; in {
he main, the canal will be excavated bv
machinery. Mons. Miliel, a French con
tractor, will do The culabra cut where the
depth is thirty feet more than the hight of {
trinity church steeple in New York; the
iepth is ninety-seven metres. A metre is
me and one-tenth English yards. Other @