The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1895-02-15
NICARAGUA CANAL SCHEME.

Great and extravaganza is the pros
pective cost OF the Nicaragua canal
undertaking to the American peo-
pie, this is by no means the worst
feature OF the bill before Congress.
The money expenditure demanded
by the bill is S700O0,0OO, but wheth-
or this sum would cover the cost of
the canal is merely ,problematical.
In order to make the scheme less
unpalatab to squeamish members
Of Congress its promoters have cut
its cost to the lowest possible figure.
But the completion OF this canal
would be likely to cost more than
double the amount estimated in the
bill, to say nothing Of the immense
sacrifice OF life in the insalubrions
climate Of Central America, says the
Philadelphia Record. The calcula-
ton, is, however, to commit the gov
eminent and people OF the United
States to the speculation OF passing
the bill now before Congress. Ouce
in for it, there would be no retreat,
no matter how great the ultimate
cost in money and in human life.
But this bill proposes to make the
United States government corpor-
alton owning and controlling the
Nicaragua canal. OF the fifteen
directors OF the corporation ten are
to be appointed by the president,
and to receive liberal salaries for
their services. This aud other pros
pective perquisities are what make
the scheme so inviting to statesmen
aud politicians out of employment.
A corporation in which two-thirds
of the directors are to be appointees
OF the president, and which is to be
sustained by the public treasury,
would to all intents and purposes be
a government corporation. Should
this bill pass the spectacle would be
witnessed OF the United States gov
eminent exercising sovereignty over
parts of the territory Of Nicaragua
and Costa Rics. With the best inten-
tions in the world it would be i'm
possible for this government to
avoid embarrassing complications
with those republics in regard to
the control OF the canal. The in
triguing politicians Of Central Amer
lea would want no more favorable
opportunity than such a situation
would afford for international con-
aict.
II the region through which the
canal is projected were inhabited
only by native Indians the wisdom
OF this would still be extremely
doubtful. But, as proprietor Of the
Nicaragua canal, the United States
government could not avoid wound
ing the susceptibilities OF the Span
ish. American rulers OF Central
America. II would be infinitely
better, then, in every respect, for
the United States government to
guarantee the bonds for the Nicara.
qua Canal Company, and leave the
entire management and control OF
the canal to the private corporation
having the privileges from Nicara-
qua and Costa Rica to dig it. The
investment OF the government would
be AZ safe in one case as in the other
In the latter case il would probably
be safer, as the management OF the
private corporation, il reasonably
honest, would be more economical
than that OF the government, with
its ten directors and a numerous
train of highly salaried officials.
IL the government of the United
States is to construct, pay for, own
and control the Nicaragua canal, al
this bill provides, what is the use Of
keeping up the stimulation Of a pri
vate corporation The curious bill
provides for paying all that the exist
ent corporation has expended, and &
little gift besides by way OF concili
ating the good will OF the share
holders. But why not have done
with this company at once, wher
the government should take posses
sion of all its rightsi IL is doubt
less anticipated that in due season
the government control would bt
abandoned by reason OF its vexa
tions, embarrassments, and uncon
stitutional character, and that tn.
private corporation would then 70
sumo it's position. This may as vel
be done first as last; or the privat,
company, when paid of, should b.
dissolved, and the government
ownership and management OF thu
canal undertaken without any fur
Their circumlocution or subterfuge
Since the canal would be in foreign
countries its management could moi
be attached to the interior depart
ment, but it might be made a burea,
OF the department of foreign affair