Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-10-28
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
A Distinguished Party Makes an inspec-
ton of the Work.
81 Tur ExEsISa star.

Correspondents Of TIE EVENING STAR.
SAN juan DEL NoRrE, NICARAGUA, Oct. IT,
ON last Saturday Chief Engineer Menocal in
yited Senior Ingeniero J. A. Roman, representa-
tive of the Nicaragua government, and seVerai
other gentlemen to make a thorough Inspection
of the works OF the canal, it being one Of the
many occasions that Senior Roman has occu-
med his time IN becoming perfectly familiar
with all facts connected with the EXECUTION oil
this enterprise Among the members OF the
party were Senior Don Macmillan Sonnen-
stern. Senior Don Luis Saenz, governor oil the
CITY OF America; Senior Don Daniel Sacasa,
governor of San Juan del Norte; Division En-
gineer Frank p. Davis, Chief Of Police Bralda,
Civil Engineer ]. 7. Ford and Charles Z. Kern,
secretary to the chief engineer.
The party assembled at the railroad camp at
the mouth of the canal. being brought 70 that
place from the headquarters OF the company
and San Juan del Norte in a tug and steam
launch railroad train was In waiting. seats
for the party being provided on one OF the nat
cars where a magnificent view OF the WORKS
was had the train passed up the line. Inc
railroad track runs parallel to the canal hne
and but a little distance from where the canal
excavation will be made. Five miles OF the
road is now built and was gone over. IL Delng
especially observed that the bedding OF tue
road was Of the frmest character and the Ties
creosoted, which has added greatly TO the ex-
pense Of the construction, in order that the
road may be of q permanent character, not SUD
iect to the early decay that a railroad Dullt ID
This climate of ordinary ties Is sure to meet.
The day was perfect and no rain fell to mar
the pleasure that attended the examination OF
the works. This section OF the railroad and
canal runs through continuous swamp, and
over its entire length the bed OF the road u
raised above the swamp bottom from four tc
six feet This country was lately only a deeI
swamp through much of which the engineer
making the survey had to wade waist deep II
order 10 locate the road, and while the GROUND
ia still swampy the great benefits to the coun
try here by this work can be seen In us Partia
drainage and within q few months this tend
ency will be much moro pronounced, and Ian'
that was worthless Will be transformed into sol
the most fertile in the world and IN every wa.
we'll adapted TO cultivation, with the au0luona
advantage Of q convenient and cheap means o
transportation. As soon as the canal Is Gu
through this section the drainage Will be com
plete, as the land generally lies four or NOR
leet above the level OF the sea. Inc Olac
palm Of the swamp is the only growth throug
most of this country at present, but shortly tn
culture of the banana, plantain, &C., VIII TAX
its place, thus adding wealth to the republic
which Is destined 10 be the possessor OF the
GREATEST CANAL THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOW,
A. the end Of the five-mile ride the trac
came to the place where it is to cross the Sa
Juanillo river and where 9 bridge has Just bee
built across that stream, over which the roa
will be continued in a few days; thence to go q
toward the divide or rock cut. 1t Is at III
place that most Of the forces under the rairoa
contractor are being worked In building up q
bed of the road above the water of the swan
Alighting from the cars the party walked up u
road which for a considerable distance follo'
the bank Of the San Juanillo river. The chi
engineer wished to show the work above til
point and for that purpose ordered boats, b
Mr.. Roman and others thought best TO reser
the inspection of this portion OF the line
some future day, and consequently, after loo
ing about for some time longer, the party aga
embarked on the train and started on the
turn trip. At the present time there are abe
go men employed on the railroad, the numt
only being limited by the ability of the &C
tractor to find work for the laborers, but I
conditions of the work will not permit a larg
force than that now employed to be used e.
nomically. railroad being run throu
higher ground would allow the employing mt
force almost without limit, but the We
through the swamp is different The mater
for filing in the bed Of the road Il brought
the cars. 50 that the main force has to be X
at tho end OF the road where the material
dumped The mass OF this material now con
from the land at the opening OF the canal, a
being sand forms " hen mixed with the ca
of the swamp u hard and very compact b
which answers its purpose perfectly. by {
means over half million cubic yards of ca
have been excavated at the mouth of the cal
Reside the road being built Tor distan nc,
i've miles there Is nearly as much moro OF
road bed graded and ready to have the tr