The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-04
DELESSEPSSPANAMACANAL
The Commission Sent Out From France,
and It's Work Of Inspection.
III. Rousseau's Attitude of Discreet and Polite
Reserve-Cutting the CanaI-American
Dredges Admired by the Visitors.

Panama canal, with 8 view to affording national
assistance to that project has aroused profound
interest among the people of the Isthmus. The
probability that this report will be favorable has
awakened new hopes and inspired fresh conf
Hence that the enterprise win not suffer early
land inevitable paralyzation. The consequences
fndeed. The commencement Of work on the
canal. FIVE years ago, gave an immense impulse to
business Of every sort Capital. labor, scien-
E6c knowledge and practical skill flowed in
from abroad and transformed the Isthmus its
towns and villages into something the inhab-
5tants had not dreamed of as possible.
( Thus the immense expenditures of money en-
riched all classes while giving to fortunate spec
nlators, those who knew how to take the side
In the affairs of men which leads on to fortune,
opportunities for acquiring wealth in short
time which passed their most sanguine eXpecta-
lions. The line of railroad from Aspinwall TO
Panama is fringed with houses, whore none ex-
listed before. dozen and more of new
towns have sprung mp like magic. while older
places, such as Gatun, Matachin and Empire
well known to old travellers on the Isthmus,
have become important places. Population has
QuadrupIed in numbers, and the addition to
Its ancient figures is entirely due to the canal
enterprise.
It may be easily understood how any shadow
on the canal company's credit and any proba-
bility Of an early suspension OF its operations
woula most seriously affect the conditions of
1ife industry and trade which the canal enter
prise has called into existence. And the expert
ences of the past two years OF the management
of the enterprise were not calculated to inspire
pnbounded confidence in its ultimate success.
There was an apparent hesitation shown in
attacking difficult problems; failure to push
work as energetically as the position and
facilities of the company permitted
the public to expect; half-heart
edness altogether in the conduct of
Ehe work so different from the enthusiasm and
energy with which it had been begun that fears
were common that something was wrong either
In the companys ability to carry on its promises
10 finish the canal at an early day, or the posi-
bility OF the realization OF the scheme at all.
The unfavorable criticisms of those who were
opposed to the project. published in various
countries, have also had their effect in disquiet
ing the public mind, which was not entirely re-
assured by the serenity with which the canal
company pursued its course, the Indifference of
its managers to hostile opinion, and the repeated
assurances of M. de Lesseps that the work would
be a success, and would be finished at surpris-
tngly early date.
These assurances Of the great canal digger ap-
pear to be sustained by the concession made to
his wishes by the French government in appoint
ing the present commission, and for the first time
taking official notice of the project. What the
result of the sexpedition will be is yet undevel-
oped, but there Is sufficient ground for belief
that it will be favorable, and the general expe-
eience of the fact will furnish as much gratifca-
zion to the people here as it will to the share
holders in France.
The chief of the commission, which arrived at
Aspinwan on the 18th ult., is M. Armand Rous-
Seau This gentleman is councillor Of state in
the present government and the president of the
Conseil- general OF Finistere. His technical
ability as an engineer is assured from the fact
chat he is a chief engineer of the celebrated
pAa<o nkG IF Incl finn
which has furnished the principal number of the
engineers who have been connected with the
Panama canal Nj. Rousseau has acquired
standing as lawyer as well as an engineer, but
IN the former capacity he has here no oppor-
tunity to display his talents.
He is a fne.looking, tall, portly gentleman,
walking with slight stoop withal, as he takes
his solitary promenade of an evening in front of
his hotel, and has the appearance of a comfort
able weli-fed and well-kept college professor, at
peace with the world, and only interested in the
etudy Of It's mysteries or the contemplation of
Its wonders. rather than of an active man engaged
in important public affairs. He is over fifty
years of age and the full beard which adorns his
rs more of the German than of the French type,
and expressive of solid and matured judgment
and confidence In his own opinions rather than of
any special brilliance of intellect or brightness,
or quickness of observation. STILL he is not a
man to be easily imposed upon, and is one who
will be tolerably sure of his judgment before be
communicates it to his government.
His associate and secretary to the commission
Is N. Lunyt, an engineer of the School OF Mines
of France gentleman of considerable acquire
ments and some experience in public works. M.
Rousseau has observed a perfectly independent
course in his association with the canal people
since his arrival, and has accepted none of the
hospitable attentions and civilites offered him
by the high officials on the isthmus. At Aspin-
wall he was the guest Of MIR. Frank
G.. Ward. the genial superintendent of the
Panama railroad. and in this city he has his
rooms at the Grand Central Hotel. He has had
little to do with the canal commission now here
composed of M. Charles de Lesseps, vice-presi-
dent of the council of administration in Paris,
and M. Martin. secretary of the same, except In
the various visits he has made to points on the
line, and in the examination of plans of work,
surveys studies Of various kinds, books, MAPS
etc.. which have been laid before him by officers
of the company.
This reserve he broke through for the first
time on Sunday night, when he gave a dinner at
his hotel to about twenty Of the principal heads
OF departments of the canal company on the
isthmus. Some ill-natured people, of those who
are suspicious of other peoples motives and
careless to their own, are of opinion that
this course of independent action and judgment
Is only part Of concerted plan to give the
proper color and appearance to mission which
will necessarily be favorable to the canal COM
pany 1.-The whole thing was cut and dried !"
say they. THE canal company pays the ex-
penses of the mission and the report will album
dainty justify the outlay. NJ Rousseau keeps
apart from canal chiefs and treats with indiffer-
ence their overtures cf friendliness but all this
was arranged before he came here" Your cor
respondent can find nothing to justify such an
insinuation. for the principal circumstance al
legged is not correct and NJ Rousseaus character
and antecedeLts are such as to place him above
suspicion.
III Rousseau's task. according to his own state
ment to your correspondent. has been limited to
study or the technical points involved in the
work. A Paris correspondent OF the London
Times recently said: He will not report on the
financial prospects of the canal, but will simply
state whether with fresh efforts the canal can be
completed" This is rather narrow view to
take Of the gentleman's mission, for ybody
can understand that to complete the canal only
requires effort" and M. Rousseau's decision on
that point could as well be rendered in Paris as
by visit to the isthmus The points to be de-
oided by the commission are: