The morning call., 1890-12-30
FROM PANAMA.
Interesting News About the Two
Great Canals.
Ravages of SMALLPOX in Colombia-A Small
Peruvian Rebellion Quickly squelched.
Death of an Old Californian.

A copy of the Panama Star and Herald Of
December 18th came from New York by
mail last evening, from which the following
items are taken:
The Isthmus.
A brief dispatch was sent from Bogota on
December 10th 10 Panama stating that, after
months of waiting. Lieutenant Wyse had
concluded all arrangements with the Colon-
bian Government for resuming work on the
canal The people of Panama were de-
lighted on hearing this welcome information,
and the whole day and night following were
given over to celebrating it. In accordance
with the terms of the concession the new
company has until February, 1898, to COM
plete its organization and must begin active
ope rations But the Star and Herald SAYS:
Meanwhile. with theiprorraga assured, the
Liauidator Will be in a position to carry on
the work under the existing concession, and
at the same time TO enter into satisfactory
neg citations without being exposed TO the
mercies of spectators for the formation of
the new company that Is to take up the
work after February, 1898, and carry it on
to its ultimate con clusion. That he will be
able to do so on very satisfactory terms there
remains no doubt, and therefore the compile
ton Of the work may be regarded now as
merely a matter OF time.
Smallpox is raging in Bonaventura with
great severity. Out of population of 1000
there were 30 cases at last accounts, and
every one who could left that part OF the
country.
Costa Rica.
The Costa Rica Railroad from Limon to
San Jose was completed on December 9TH.
and the first train went over the whole line
from the Atlantic to the capital on Sunday
The work OF construction was very difficult
owing to swamps. quagn,ires, treacherous
rivers and steep mountain ranges, and the
contractor, c. NJ. Keith, deserves great
credit for his energy in overcoming all OBJ.
stacles. While inspecting bridge at Matma
on December Sd Mr.. Keith and his Superin-
tendent. MIR. Wichmann, came near being
k1liec. They were standing on one OF the
concrete when it suddenly sank out of
sight, and one bent of the bridge collapsed.
Both gentlemen jumped on trestle and
escaped with slight bruises. or six work
men three were drowned, two were badly
bruised and enc escaped.
The following news Of the Nicaragua
Canal is not specially fiattering:
Only a few weeks ago Commissioners OF the
Nicaragua Goyernnent inspected the work done,
examined accounts Of EXPENSES and listened TO
plans for the future. which were probably 81 FL
GENTLY elaborate and extensive to suit the Central
American ear and heart, already sufficiently en-
thusiastc over the prospects OF early and yigor.
Gus work on the great enterprise. A fiattering
report was sent to the Government at Nicaragua.
The expenditures were represented at IS, O0O,-
600 or Whereabouts, and hope told the fiattering
tale OF other millions. which were TO follow.
drawn from Grlngo pockets to be scattered over
the country-a vertable lluvia de orc. The Gov.
ernment was immensely gratified, sent hearty
felicifations to the company because its obliga-
lions had been SO scrupul0usly fulniled-nay
that the liberality OF the cOmpany's expenditures
had exceeded the limit established III the con.
tract-and, as consequence, an Executive
decree was promulgated con tirmng the
comPany's unchailenged right TO the canal
concession for twelve years. Some pe0-
pie supposed that the work would be
continued az least on the scale which had
meflted praise so high. Others looked for IN
creased activity, the carrying OF the railroad to
the Divide Cutr the commencement OF work
there and on The rock sections on the west side
and IN short general activities on grander seal.
Both these classes OF Nicaragua's people have
been disappointed. The railroad was turned
back to lie company, while several miles stIll
remain unfinished. Nages-noI too high at S25
per month-were reduced to $50, aud some OF
the mems privileges we're abridged. As q result
about 300 out OF the working force OF 500 men
resolved to quit work aud leave the country
Rumors were afi0at that the 2Ist of this
month work would be suspended for time.
although with the dry season on the weather Il
particularly proplti0us for pushing forward the
RAILROAD. The Jetty, dredging on the line Of the