The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-03-13
The Nicaragua Canal.

The Nicaragua Canal.
We have been 30 deeply impressed in
reading an article written by Senator John
sherman, and published in the March
Forum, that we feel sure our readers also
win take some Interest In a brief synopsis
of the past history and present prospects OF
this great international enterprise, especially
Just now when Mr.. Blaine's policy of re-
ciprocity is attracting so much notice.
AS early as 1884, a treaty was made be-
tween this government and the republic of
Nicaragua, by which o grant Of land and
liberal provisions were made for the con-
struction of an inter-Oceanic canal. This
treaty was not confirmed bs the senate,
mainly for the reason that it would violate
the s'Monroe doctrine" of non-intcrventiOn
Meantime the DeLesseps Panama Canal
scheme was inaugurated, and the Nicaragua
project seemed to be abandoned. However
when about three years ago the hopeless
collapse of the Panama canal project became
evident, interest in the Nicaragua route re-
yived.
The republic of Nicaragua, keenly alive
10 the Importance of this work, gave TO a
company composed of citizens OF the United
States, very liberal concessions for the right
10 build the canal. Since that time this
company has been actively and intelligently
engaged at work, organizing, surveying,
planning, making careful estimates, etc.
Not only that, but these surveys and esti-
mates have been carefully, supplemented
by competent engineers sent out by our
government, until, unlike the Panama costly
guess work, there is no longer any shadow
Of doubt or uncertainty about the practical
bility of the route, and the approximate
cost. The cost, after estimating all possible
contingencies, as well as the interest on
loans while the work is in progress is one
hundred million dollars.
Whoever will consult q map of Central
America, will observe Lake Nicarauga
nearly in the center of the republic of that
namc, lying much nearer the Pacific and
summing nearly parallel with it. The outlet Of
this lake is the San Juan River, which
empties into the Caribbean Sea at Greytown.
It is by the way of this river and through
Lake Nicaragua that the route to the Pacific
lies.
1t is a curious fact that while in some
portions of Nicaragua the Cordilleras attain
an immense altitude volcano Del Fuego
IA, roo feet here the mountain is lattened
till Lake Nicaragua, lying in their midst,
is less than forty feet above the Pacific.
There is already a practicable harbor AZ
Greytown. The San Juan is to be made
aavigable for large ocean steamers by means
Of dams, thus securing slack water. 1t has
been ascertained that N point, a dam 81
feet high and 1850 feet long will insure
water of sufficient depth for all practicable
purposes for a distance of 100 miles. The
highest point of land between the two
oceans is 10 feet above tide water. The
entire distance is ITO miles, of which only
81 miles of artificial waterway must be
provided. This canal is from Lake Near
aqua west toward the Pacific. The highest
point of land between the Lake and the
Pacific is only AZ feet,
From this brief description it will he
readily seen that there are no difficult oh
stacles to be overcome, no greater engineer
ing problem to solve than the building of
the 500 canal presented. The wonder is
that q man of DeLesseps' skill and exper-
fence should have failed to make this selec-
ton for his enterprise instead of the rock
ribbed mountains of his Panama route. 1t
was probably because of the manifest
destiny that Americans should rule
america. II only remains now for our
government TO lend its credit to this enter
prise TO a sufficient extent TO obtain control
Of 1t sufficiently to keep out foreign in
nuences as well as stock gambling and UNI
.scrupulous combinations at home. 1t is
confidently asserted that so enormous will
be the traffic through this waterway, that
at reasonable charges it will pay s per cent.
net profit on the Investment.
1t is / 200 miles from New York to San
francisco via Cape Horn. Certainly one
half this distance will be saved by the Mic
route, besides the most stormy,
navigation in the world.
Il