The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-01-05
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.

IT is more than one hundred and
fifty years since William Paterson, an
enthusiastic Scotch merchant, wrote of
the American isthmus: This door of
the seas and key of the universe, with
anything of a reasonable management,
will enable its proprietors to give laws
to both oceans and become arbitrators
of the commercial world" Yet this
door is still closed Notwithstanding
the vast expenditures of skill and
wealth it has invited, and the great
prizes its opening holds out.
Although it seems like a paradox,
says an exchange, yet it is probably
true that the recent collapse of the
gigantic French effort to cut this door
through the isthmus of Panama will
stimulate and make successful the
American effort to open better one
by way of Nicaragua. Indeed that
effort, had already reached a stage
where ultimate success was assured.
The collapse of the Panama scheme
will only hasten the result. The as
sociation OF American gentlemen
which had obtained a concession from
Nicaragua about two years ago were
even then assured of the inevitable
downfall of the scheme of NJ. de Les
seps, and were laying their own plans
for pushing forward the American en-
'Terprise In November of last year
they sent from New York a well
equipped expedition, to supplement
and complete former surveys, and to
prepare for actual work. This work
has been done, and the whole subject
is now understood with scientific ex-
actness. 1t is known now by exact
final surveys that the distance from
ocean to ocean-from Greytown to
Brito-is 16967 miles, and that OF
this, 140.6S miles will be free naviga-
ton, and only $3.50 miles of canal in
excavation. There will be 120.5O
miles on the river San Juan and the
lake of Nicaragua, and the rest of the
free navigation in basins formed by
engineering works carefully planned
and thoroughly practicable. 1t is
known, also, that although the work
of constructing the canal will be OF
great magnitude, it will not be one Of
difficulty. Nature, which the French
found such q formidable enemy al
Panama, the Americans will find q
friend at Nicaragua. And not only in
the construction, but in the perpetual
use, of the canal will Nature work
with us, for Nicaragua is in the heart
of the trade winds, and will invite anG
offer special convenience to sailing
ships, while the MINDLESS area in the
vicinity of Panama wolld constantly
embarrass navigation.
The recent careful investigation has
made it evident that the canal can be
constructed for fifty-fve millions OF
dollars, while the present obligations
OF the Panama company are more
than seven times that sum.
RS{n view of these facts, the people OF
this GSGhtry are now looking with
great interest to the actual beginning
and hoping for the speedy completion
Of this great national work. The par.
ties who are pushing it forward ask fol
no government subsidies or conces,
sions, but only seek the action of the
government in clothing them with
corporated power under the laws oi
the United States. Even this is not
essential, but it is very desirable, IN
order to invest this important enter
prise with a dignity worthy of its pur.
pose.
1t seems quite certain now that
this door of the seas" is t. be opened
at last. 1t is very gratifying thai
American skill and energy are to ac-
complish this great work, and having
opened the door, will practically re
tain the key. For if a company char
tered by the United States govern
mert, directed by American engineer:
and supported by American capital
shall first throw open this door
through which all the vessels of the
world. whether under sail or steam
may pass, we will indeed gain the ad
vantages foreseen by the Scotch mer
chant-statesman, and be able ''to Civ,
law to both oceans and become arbi
traitors to the commercial world"
AMENDMENTS to the Astoria city