New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-27
INTERESTS OF THE ISTHMUS.
THE PANAMERICAN CONGRESS CLOSELY
WATCHED.
spDcuLAnNe on THE PROBABLE FATE OF THE
UNFINISHED CANAL.

! SPECIALIZING on THE PROBABLE FATE OF THE
UNFINISHED CANAL
vpox AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENTS OF THE TRTpuSE'l
Panama Dec 3-Thc interest felt here in the Pan
American Congress is shown by the fact that 'O0'
newspaper is the only Central or south AIhc''''"
organ which detailed correspondent 10 acoo"p
| the delegates on their travels. The dehDefduVn' '"
the Congress followed with eager interest U! '.
who realize what closer relations with the Unted s
would mean to the prosperity the Isthmus and IL Is
hoped that the recent stimulus which Colombian Gun"
MERGE has received may greatly profit by the results ~
accrue indirectly from the decision reacheo a' w.
ington. AS Senior CalderOn, q delegate 70 inc
grcss recently admitted, the great drawbacks 10
I'm Colombia are the difficulty Of transportation anu ~
exorbitant freight rates imposed upon smppefe'
long as merchandise destined for the interior ana cum
modties produced there have to be carried OH ulu0
hack over the mountains ferried along shano"
rivers full of rapids and snags there is n'uie hop
the permanent commercial prosperity OF the country.
The Isthmus, however, IS in a large measure
empt from these objections. 1t has TWO seaporos,
trayersed by a good railroad, and is easily te"oheu
to, the surrounding region and the Panama Chahioer
~ Commerce strongly advocates the extensive cuiIiV
ton Of articles which have hitherto peeh oroush' nc0
in large quantities from Ecuador ana other countries
and shipped TO Northern markets for sale al hlgh
prcesin spite of the fact that they are easily grown
over n large area Of this Republic. Coffee and TO-
hood NJ Cbrioui and promise well, the soil being
tremeIv fertile committee of the Chamber which
has been appointed to make surveys looking to the es
tabishment of an experimental cocoa plantation also
proceeds with the sanction and support of the Gov
crnment and gift of state lands has been promised
for the purpose.
The telegram lately received from Mr.. Brunei the
Judicial Lquidator in Paris of the Panama Canal Com
pany announcing that the Canal Examining Com
mittee had finally been formed read here with
general relief. The withdrawal Of the immense force
of canal workmen from the Isthmus was naturally
great blow TO the local merchants, who viewed the
collapse with the alarm that overlook them when
opening of the Union Pacific Railroad threatened
to divert the stream of California travel northward
1t by the merest good fortune that the recent
exodus peacefully performed. At present
operations the canal at standstill, and few
overnows from the Chagres River would undo much OF
the work that has been accomplished at such enor
nous expense But the methods of those in charge
have been characterized by the most fragrant negh-
gence and extravaganza from the very
outset. According to his statement. VI. Brunets
object In appointing the Examining Committee
primarily determine the length OF time required
TO complete the canal and the final cost, lie Will
then endeavOr to obtain from the Colombian Govern
ment prolongatOn of the concession, and Will also
ask French investors to supply the necessary capital
The appointment Of the commission may mean much
In the way OF throwing uglt on INC PIeseHU s'O VA
the enterprise. But those who have studied IL the
closest and have lived longest on the ground smile
incredulOusy at talk of completion. since the bOW
fell which proved the absurdty of De Lessepss
promises, the only hope for the investors mas dln
In sale of the company's assets, comprised III tIe
value of the concessions, the plant, and the WORK
performed Under Inc terms of the company
charter, all these may revert TO the Colombian GOV
eminent: and in that dividend OF sorrow anu
disappointment is all that will ever be declared Inc
prosecution Of the work the Nicaragua Canal Is
Watched with jealous interest. The difficulties to be
surmOunted are fully understood, but the iact tndt
they are not likely to be augmented by Ohclal IN
competence and redtape is thought to count heavily
Among the "sghts" OF Panama arc the great
cemeteries in which lie thousands OF unlucky French
men whom an evil star induced 70 brave the dangers
of the Isthmian climate and the miasmatlc eXhala-
tions from the upturned earth OF the canal IN thc
palmy days of the enterprise funerals were only less
numerous than those In London during the plague,
although all mention Of yellow fever was surety
tabooed and old residents stll to be fOund VINO
protest that an authenticated was never known
10 1916 the dead inferred the lsthmus below
the pavements of the churches. In 1ol6, a small
pox epidemic broke out, whereupon the Governor
ordered the construction of cemetery proclaimed
an additional octroi tax of ~ every package of
merchandise brought into Panama, 10 provide the
necessary funds and ordered all stone masOns TO
assist in the work on daily wage OF sixty cents.
Those who refused compelled TO work In irons
and without pay under military guard; and re
fractOry artisan who subjected TO this discipline
ie aid IN recently died,