The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-22
AN ENGLIsHMAN's VIEW.
Some Striking Particulars to the Condi-
ton of tho Work at Panama.

Some Striking Particulars as to the Condi-
ton of tho Work at Panama.
New York Ii erald.
Captain Bedford PIN, the we'll known British
naval officer and scientist, whose name has been
prominently connected with the Nicaraguan
canal, arrived in this city yesterday from Mon
tana. When seen by reporter, shortly after
his arrival, he declared that he was too worn
out by his long journey to speak upon the sub
ject. Having been deposited in the depths of an
easy chair, however, and fndingno chance of
escape the Captain was led on to say that ne
considered the determined and patriotic effort
of the American government to open really
useful, a really healthful and really profitable
water roadway through Nicaragua was worthy
Of the highest commentator.
He took to himself the credit of having been
to an appreciable extent instrumental in bring
ing about the decision of the United States gov
eminent in relation to the treaty with Near
aqua just entered into. The information he had
given to Secretary FrelinghGysen relative to the
condition of the work on the Panama canal had
exerted a strong influence in inducing the Secre-
tary to take some decisive action.
as some trouble not likely to arise owing to
the jealousies of various European powers being
aroused in connection with the canal?" asked the
reporter.
1.-The statesmen who have made the arrange
rnent with Nicaragua" answered CAPTAIN
PIN, "the exact details of which, by the bye
have not been anything like disclosed to the pub
lie, win know how to present a stiff upper lip
against any foreign interference. So far as Eng
land is concerned, Mr. Gladstone is too busy
slaughtering unhappy Egyptians to think of in
terfering, even in question of the highest i'm
portance to the commercial interests of Great
Britain Personally l do not consider that the
European powers have any ground for concern
as to che canal 1t viii be safe, think, to trust
implicitly to the honor and material interests of
the government of the United States to make
the passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific in
comparatively short time as free and open rs the
magnificent lock at Sault Marie, between Lakes
Huron and Superior.
LAS an old-fashioned Tory" continued Captain
PIN, Il claim to have as much love for dear old
England as any man living, but do sincerely
hope that the government of the United States
will sweep aside this rubbishy Clayton Bulwer
treaty, and give no heed to this foolish idea
about neutrality, OF which Ignorant politicians
pirate so glibly."
"Will not the Panama canal prove form
liable rival to the Nicaraguan project"
mot in the least. Let me say most emphatic
ally that the condition of the work on the Pan
anna canal Is but little generally understood.
This work is far, very far from successful
completion. M. de Lesseps has fixed his eSti
mates for work on the Panama canal on the same
basis as if the work applied to the Suez canal
Nothing could De more erroneous IMAM calcu-
lation made on such basis. The widest differ
enee exists between the work TO be performed in
the two cases. No two portions Of the earth
could be more unlike than Suez and Panama.
Suez is level throughout Suez has rainfall Of
only six inches pey annum. At Suez the labor
is docile and the climate healthy. Yet N. de
Lesseps declares that the difficulties encountered
at Sgez are greater than any to be encountered
at Panama
" should much like TO know how he arrives
at this singular conclusion. Let US look at the
conditions existing at Panama. Panama has y