The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-01-23
A CANAL KITE.

Preeminently this is an age in which
we live and learn. 1t has remained until
this late day to be made acquainted with
new canal route across the Isthmus of
Panama. south of the one in which so
much French money has been sunk use
lessly. An engineer from Kentucky is
paying visit to Tacoma. aud there
he has unfolded the merits of this
entirely new and startling waterway.
which he proclaims the shortest and the
cheapest. only requiring tidal entrance
locks, and feasible of execution within
three or four years without even the aid
of railway. Mr.. Karweise, the Kentucky
engineer referred 10, asserts that between
the Gulf of Darien aud the Gulf of San
Miguel the tides flow toward each other so
near that only a distance Of 1872 miles
separates them. The cOnfguration of the
coasts is not said TO be inaccurate, and this
shows that the lsthmus of Panama is
much the narTowest neck between the
Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, but
Mr.. karweise takes advantage of tidal
marshes that indent the land, and the
actual excavation would be less than
twenty miles. The canal would be on one
level throughout. It's only difficulty is
tunnel II, 500 feet long. which if not made
lofty enough for vessels with masts $50 or
200 feet high, would at least have 10 ac-
mmodate steamers. The cost Is estl-
mated at the mere trife of S4S.000.000. Ii
capitalists could see their way to have q
canal between the Atlantic and Pacific
open within four years for this bagatelle
Mr.. Karweise will not have far to go in
search of subscriptions. Some of our
millionares could pool the whole sum,
and there are few capitalists in Europe
who could do likewise and rot feel pinched.
Seldom does any great work so delight
fully easy present itself to eager investors.
No very accurate survey exists of any of
the South American countries. There is
therefore just room for the possibility that
an easy path for canal has been found
through the Cordileras, but as the whole
region from Tehuantepec southwark has
been traversed by surveying parties re-
peatedly in search Of route it is strange
that the fateful discovery should have been
postponed to this propitious moment. The
suspicion is natural that this proposal is a
kite to divert attention from the Nicaragua
canal. Anything that would stave off the
evil day when that route is opened to COM
iuClNC Nouiu 10 lOolClCu Wy
the railroad schemers and plotters who
exercise such an inoIdinate share of in
fuence and power. But unless the United
States is to be wholly delivered into their
hands the march of events in connection
with the Nicaragua canal has gone too far
to be arrested. The national convention
at New Orleans in 1892 declared in favor of
the canal. The Foreign Committee Of the
Senate. through Mr.. Sherman, reported
bill in its favor. which recommended a
Government guarantee of 500, 1000, 900.
President Harrison earnestly Endorsed the
canal in his message to Congress, and quite
Unexpectedly President Cleveland has re-
Gently had encouraging words for it, for
which he is entitled TO credit. Nobody can
doubt that the good work must again be
taken up and the required Endorsement
given by the Government in return for the
inestimable privilege of retaining control
for this country. The canal is political
as well as a commercial necessity, and far
more valuable from many points of view
than all the transcontinental railroads put
together. The construction Of the canal
is now suffering from a financial setback,
but that is merely temporary. 1t is not an
enterprise to be looked at from any indi-
vidual standpoint for the sake of dividends
or wealth. or as q stepping-stone to corpora
ton interests. 1t Is an undertaking of a
broad practical character for the benefit of
two continents in their commerce with
each other and with the rest of the world,
and il Is because the United States Is the
most advanced, the most stable, and the
most vitality interested country OF all con-
cerned. that we regard the canal as much
more 10 US than the SueZ route is to Europe.
and as involving paramount advantages
which should not be allowed TO glide from
our hands. For less than 500, 100000 this
canal can be made. All the conditions re-
Quislte but the actual cash exist, and the
moment the Government credit is pledged
the money can be raised in a day. II this
canal were in existence no other would be
mooted. Panama is dead, and the new
proposal would lose its value as kite