The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-13
POSITION AND PROSPECT AT
PANAMA.

ne Nlblt VI Do bSpINP' w NV - 49,
anna canal, and reports from CORE
fpondents present on the occasion,
have naturally drawn much attention
Just now to the subject. The visit is
a sort OF crisis in the history OF the
work. Application is made to the
French government to permit large
amount of money to be raised for the
prosecution OF the work by means OF
q lottery. The report made by exam
liners present among the visitors will
determine whether the government
OF France will permit the proposed
lottery. Shonld it do so, then the
canal becomes government work,
fact that will give trouble II the caral
ever be completed, for the United
States cannot permit European
power to dominate its access to its
own coast on the Pacific. The report
that will be made to the French gov
eminent lie, therefore, waited for with
profound interest. In the meantime,
others present on the occasion OF De
I.essepss visit are publishing the re-
suits Of their observations. The re-
suit, so far, according to their state
ments, is that the amount Of direct
work upon the canal performed up to
this time is very small in proportion
| TO the money expended. But 1t also
appears that much OF the money went
or machinery, the building OF houses
and hospitals for the workmen
and for other preliminary expenses
that will not occur again. There are
some parts of the work conducted in
mastery manner, especially come Of
the heavy rock work. The main work
has yet to be entered upon; the rock
work becomes heavier as the surface
soil is removed; the Ohagres river is
an obstacle as yet unattached. The
workmen die of by hundreds in the
pestiierous climate, but are generally
well paid and attended to, except in
cases where some heartless contractors
act i'll toward the laborers they hire
The general management and over
sight appears to be creditableto French
method and attention to sanitary de-
tails. The pay Of labor is good, but
the country cannot produce the food
wanted and bsardis high. The board
is supplied by Chinese, who are max
ing money. On the whole, spite o
Just such monetary difficulties as &C
Cured more than once when the Slei
canal was constructing, there are ex
perienced men who expect h
ses the project successful in d.
: Lesseps's hands. But il the tim
OF completion be deferred, il De Les
seps should die and the French de
spair of their proisct, what then
Then, say some Of those who lool
ahead and foresee, then the Unite,
States will agree with the French gov
, eminent and make the whole affair al
7 American one-American machinery
r American methods, and the sort q
t American speed in accomplishin
!. work that was shown when, in tn
4 work Of the first railroad to the Pacific
a miles Of road were completed in day
r The Americans, starting where tn
r French left of, clear Of the prelim
u nary difficulties, will bring the wor
n to triumphant termination in satit
=, factory time, and no difficulty wi
o exist as TO wha! government shall pr
Ie tect it il the C'ayton-Bulwer treat
oi can be managed successfully. Sue
a are the ideas that are arising anon
speculative observers OF curreI
'e events, and among spectators calcv
70 lating on future call for their fund