The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-08-13
PRICE FIVE CENTS

second year, $900,0G0 the third year, ana SO
on until the seventh year, when the sum
needed TO meet the interest would be ga
100000. At that time the canal Wi" be oper-
ed and in full operation, and its income
even for the first year will reach So0DO,O1,
counting at the rate of tells now received
by the Sue canal, which is paying Y per
cent dividends annually"
There is no question but that the early
completion of the Nicaragua canal as con-
tempIated would be of Incompatible COM
mercial benefit and advantage to the Amer
lean people. The position the canal would
occupy would be unique, exceeding in strat-
egic value the stI.sits Of Gibraltar; and, like
the Mediterranean. of which it is the gate
way, the Caribbean sea. the gulf of Mexico
and the Isthmian P2cilsc would fairly TEEN
with the commerce of the world, passing
TO and fro through the canal. Its mere pos
session by the United States, moreover,
would constitute perpetual assertion or
the Monroe doctrine.
If the Nicaraguan canal were in opera
ton today it's benefits to the commerce of
America, well as the rest OF the world,
would be simply inestimable BY means of
it the United States could absolutely de-
terrnne the destiny of the whole west.
ern hemisphere; for well equipped naval
station on that inland sea, With fortified
rern1ini and feet of modern warships,
would dominate the Atlantic eastward to
the Windward islands CT the West Indies,
and westward TO the Hawaiian islands and
Samoa. The marine distance from New
York to San Francisco would be reduced
by 1890 miles; to Hong-Kong, China, by
1900 miles; to Yokohama, Japan, 1899 miles:
to Melbourne Australia, 5000; TO Hawaii
s000 and to Valparaiso, Chile, 5000 The
marine distance from New Orleans to San
Francisco would likewise be diminished by
ii 900 miles; from Liverpool 10 san Francis
CO. 1000 miles, to HCng-hong, 1,ZlJ miles;
49,. 4 "A
1900 miles. The voyage from New York TO
tne eastern entrance of the canal would
be Z.021 mil-s. and from San Francisco TO the
western entrance. 10 niles. the lumber,
grain, fish md fruit trade Of the Pacific and
northwestern states would be marvelously
augmented; the trade between Inria, China,
Japan and our Atlantic ports would also be
vastly increased, while the great agIicultu-
raj interests east of the Rocky mountains
and west of the Alleghenies, via the OHIO,
Mississippi and Missouri rivers and railroad
routes TO the new Galveston h2rbor, New
Orleans and Mobile would receive an in
calcglab bic impetus. Finally the opening Of
the canal would make continuous cur coast
from Alaska to Maine.
The yearly tonnage crossing the isthmus
Of Panama from Colon 10 Aspinwall by rafl.
after transshipment together with that
which now goes around Cape Horn, amounts
10 5.0Oe,c.0 and this tonnage would imue-
lately drain through the Niagara canal,
besides the large part OF tonnage that now
rounds the cape Of Good Hope ana . large
1art of that now passing through he Suez
canal The tonnage Of the 5agit sea Marie
aggregates about 100000 or 3,00Q,01)
greater tnan thai OF she Suez canal, but
when the east and west commerce Of the
Atlantic and PacInc oceans = compared TO
mat Of the basins Of our great lakes, even
the prodigious figures of me latter are in
significant. Tire net annual tonnage Of the
.;uez canal. which is 7,Ge0990. at toll rates
of g per ton. yields $lt0Q9G50 annual revenue
to its owners. With al annual traffic 81
100000 tons-oniy half the intended capac-
ity of the Niagara canal-that new water
way would earn at the same rates of toll
a revenue Of $23009,GJ0 annually.
In his report Senator Morgan quotes some
carefully prepared figures and tables, show
ing thar traffic between Atlantic and Pa
cifc ports to the value OF $3l5.03S165 every
year would become directly tributary 10 the
Nicaragua canal. and also that traffic to the
value of $ie3. 2lG,Si7 would be within the z0na
of the canals attraction.
JOHN D. CREMER