The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-11-26
IT IS SET AWAY BACK
The Nicaragua Canal Project Receives
Q Severe Blow.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSION
In It's Entirety 1t Is Unfavorabie
to the Company-it is Neither
Practicable Nor Advisable
to Construct IL.

New York. Nov. "A special to the
Herald from Washington says: A se-
rious blow has been dealt the Nlcara-
guam canal company project for the
construction of a waterway across the
isuhmus by the report OF the Nicaragu-
an canal commission Inevitable delay
and a further and more thorough IN
veStgaton of the entire subject are
declared to be necessary before even
the engineering feasibility or any canal
across Nicaragua can be decided upon
Your correspondent f. able TO make
public the revtew OF the contents and
the text of the conclusion of the report
for the Nicaraguan canal commission.
This report Is now lying on the presl-
dents desk and Is being considered
by HIM In connection with his annual
message to congress. The report Is at
such variance with the numerous ru-
mors and predictions which have from
time to time been published concerning
II. that II will cause great surprise and
disappointment among those who have
heretofore placed credence In the ru-
mors. which usually stated ION the
highest authority that the commission
favored the route proposed by the CON-
pany and placed the cost OF the canal
at about $4,000. 900.
The report points out that n Is neFrh-
er practicable nor advisable to attempt
rhe construction OF the Nicaraguan ca
nal upon the data at present avail
able. and that the undertaking would
be fraught with hazards too obvious to
disregard. That the knowledge may be
had OF the physical and Geographical
conditions affecting the construction
and maintenance OF a canal across Nc
araIgVra. upon which to form a final
judgment as TO the feasibility. per1na-
nence and cost. the commission recon-
mends an appropriation by congress OF
S35O.000 for extensive additional sur
veyS and EXAMINATIONS covering a
period OF is months. With the daan at
hand. however. the commission makes
a provisional estimate OF costs. s133,-
472,ss3. or nearly double that of the
maritime canal companyfs uncondftion-
al estimate of $50. s93. $50. The commits
sion makes It's estimate provisional"
The commissioners say the existing
data are Inadequate az a basis for esti-
mating the cost of many structures.
Some portions of the work may cost
more. others less. The report says the
official estimate by the company OF
s6s $50 Is insufficient for the work;
that I'm several important cases tho
Quantities must be greatly increased.
and TN numerous cases the unit prices
do not make proper allowance for the
difference in the cost OF work between
the United States and Nicaragua"
The general trend of the entire report
is certainly very unfavorable TO the
canal company. The commission re-
Trains from any direct criticism OF the
prospectus. but ts reports
show that certain features which the
company has persisted IN assuring the
public. through congress. were known
to be absolutely safe and feasible. II
put In execution might jeopardlze tho
of the whole system. and
destroy forever the hope OF a
canal by means of the San Juan river
and lake Nicaragua-