The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-12-30
An AmEsIcaS CANAL.

Nov that Che failure OF the Panama
Canal scheme Is practically assured.
energetic efforts should be made for
the construction Of an inter-ocesnic
canal by American capital and under
American auspices.
American engineers have gwen more
attention 10 the canal subject than
have those Of any other nation. From
the very beginning Of their investiga-
lions they have been unanimous in
the agreement that the most practical
BILE and in all respects the most advan-
tageous route for canal TO connect
the waters Of the Atlantic with those
OF the Pacific was that by way OF Lake
Nicaragua. The first surveys proved
this fact 10 the satisfaction OF those
who made them and the engineers
who have most recently given the sub
iect their attention adhere firmly TO
the opinion formed by the FIRST survey
ors. Not only has no American engi-
neer formed a contrary opinion, but
no competent engineer who has made
thorough and impartial study OF the
situation has failed to conclude that
the Nicaragua route i In every re
speet better than the Panama route or
any other that has been suggested.
-Four years ago, during the last
months Of the Arthur administration,
treaty was negotiated between the
United States and the republic oil
Nicaragua, by which the government
of the latter country virtually cedesi
the territory through which the canal
should he constructed, the United
States in return pledging itself TO con-
struct, maintain and preserve the ne,i-
trality OF the canal. This treaty met
with the approval OF tho American
people regardless OF party, but TO the
surprise Of all, the fenate failed to
confirm it, the Southern Democratic
senators voting in body against ist
confirmation. The reason for that
extraordinary vote has never been
made public. twas suggested at the
time that the Southern Democrats de-
ieated the treaty in order that the
Cleveland administration, which WAS
soon to come into power, might have
The glory OF negotiating it anew. How
ever that may have been. the matter
has been allowed 10 rest from that day
to this. The Cleveland administration
has paid no more attention to the
r-oceanic canal than IL has 10 the
hanging gardens OF Babylon. The
concessions made by Nicaragua have
long since lapscd, and all idea Of a
canal built aud protected by the Amer
can government has apparently been
abandoned.
In the meantime, however, an
Amer can company has obtained con-
SESSIONS from the Niearaguan govern
ment and is attempting to secure the
recognition of the United States gov
eminent in order that il may raise
funds to construct n canal. II this
company evinces a willingness 10 ao-
. complIsh in good faith the object for
which ii was formed. il should he as
sisted by the government in every
proper way. II it is not able or no,
willing. an effort should be made t.
induce the Nioaraguan government
to renew the concessions offered ia
the rejected Frelinghuysen treaty.
We are sooR 10 have an adminisira-
ton imbued with American ideas. and
American interests will no longer be
neglected as they have been for the
past four years One OF the first
things TO be done, should be the he
ginning of negotiations looking 10 the
construction OF an American canal
between the Atlantic and the Pacific.
II private enterprise can accom-
plish this great work. well and good.
II ii cannot, the government should
not hesitate to undertake IL