Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-12-13
THE NICARAGUA CANAL
Some Reasons Why Congress Should
Take Favorable Action


OF excellent reasons why congress
should assist the Nicaragua canal.
First, the question of inter-oceanic
communication across the isthmus is
no longer experimental. Its feasibility
has been demonstrated by the highest
engineering experts. Gen. Grant said
commend an American canal on
American soil to the American people,
and congratulate myself on the fact
that the most careful explorations have
been started, that the route has been
chosen, and that the project is one
which cOmmends itself as affording
economical transportation for traffic y
President Harrison has taken the same
position. President-elect Cleveland
has committed himself in the following
unmistakable manner
The Importance Of construction of
the Nicaragua canal as a means of pro-
noting commerce between our respec-
tive states and with foreign countries
and also as "A contribution by Ameri
cans to the enterprises which advance
the interest Of general utilization, COM
mand the respect Of the government
and approval and Endorsement as well -
Second-In the platforms of the
Minneapolis and Chicago con nventions
both the old parties have committed
themselves to the project. The Repub-
lican platform declares that the canal
should be controlled by the United
States government The Democratic
platform iavors its " early construction
and protection against foreign con-
troll. 4"
Third-The work is already begun.
The company has expended So, 900 900
and has TO show for its expenditures
the improvement of GreytoWn harbor,
the construction of piers and docks, the
erection of permanent buildings, the
completion of telegraph lines, the con-
structlOn of twelve miles of railway, the
proprletorship Of the most powerful
dredging plant in the world, and the
opening Of nearly two miles of the
canal.
Fourth-Because no substantial diff
culties stand in the way. The entire
length of the canal is 1859 miles, OF
which 1t is only necessary to excavate
twenty-siX. Lake Nicaragua and adj
Jacent rivers can be utilized for dis
tance of l43 miles. The rise from the
ocean TO the level of Lake Nicaragua
can be effected by three locks.
Flfth-lt will save materially in the
distances of shipping routes as shown
by the following statement: The dis
tance from the points indicated to the
eastern entrance is as follows: New
York, 2O2l miles; Liverpool, 4769;
Hamburg, 52l9; Havre, 4S7i New
Orleans, 1908. To the western entrance
from San Francisco, 2776 miles; Valpa-
raise, 25Sl; Callao, 1881; Portland, Or,
1918; Victoria, B. c., 3i2S; Sitka, 4Ol9
Sixth-It will greatly develop the
business Of the country, particularly
that of the gulf ports and California,
and will enhance the interests of Amer
lean commerce. The control of that
traffic must be in American, not in
French hands, and more important
still, it will be in accordance with the
American policy of protecting every
part of American territory from foreign
Interference or aggression There should
be no question as to the ownership of
the Nicaragua canal.
Lastly-The time is ripe for the push.
ing Of this great work to completion.
Even had the Panama canal been a
success 1t would have been none the
less the duty of congress to aid the
company by guaranteeing its bonds.
But the Panama canal is now an ire
trieVable ruin. Now is the time, there
fore, to push the Nicaragua canal for
ward to completion at the earliest pos
sible time and for the government to
take control of it, As the president
elect and the convention which nomi-
mated him have alike declared in its
favor, there ought to be no doubt Of
the prompt action Of congress.
c. p. Roberts & Co., Holly street. two