The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-25
CAPTAIN MERRY'S BOOK
Why De Lesseps Could Not Sc
cure the Nicaragua Canal
Route.
AN INTERESTING PAMPHLET.
Valuable Information Concerning
the Great Gateway Between
the Oceans.

a neatly printed and well-written
pamphlet descriptive of the Nicaragua
canal has just been issued by authority of
the Chamber of Commerce and the Board
OF Trade of San Francisco, the Chamber of
Commerce of Portland, Or, and the
Chamber of Commerce of San Diego.
It's author is Captain William L. Merry,
well known on the entire Pacific Coast, not
only from his connection with the
Nicaragua canal from its inception to this
day, but as well from his commercial and
maritime activities for years past. He is
Consul General of the Republic of
Nicaragua to the Western States and
Territories Of the United States. His little
volume is printed on fine book paper, is
handsomely illustrated by maps and en-
cravings, and contains several tabular
statements of great interest to not only
actual and prospective shareholders in the
canal, but to the mercantile and shipping
pursuits of this coast generally.
CAPTAIN Merry has handled his subject
in a mastery way and discusses the great
maritime enterprise from almost every
standpoint. In his opening chapter on
"Its Commercial Necessity" the author has
this to say:
On the Pacific Coast of the United States the
commercial necessity for the prompt eonstruc-
ton OF the Nicaragua canal is so obvious that
It finds no opponents worthy OF consideration.
The Southern States are almost equally INTEL
ested, and two great canal conventions have
been held there to promote it. The Eastern
seaboard States are also ardent advocates of
the canal, and what Indifference 10 the bene-
fcent enterprise exists to-day is found in the
Middle West, where lis immediate benefits are
not so evident to the casual observer, although
easily demonstrated upon examination. 1t ls
notable fact, however, that the citizens OF
the great interior city OF Chicago, renowned
for her enterprise and commercial activity, are
among the most ardent advocates of the canal,
and are FULLY cognizant of its advantage to
them, when, by means or naYlgeple wafer
way to the gulf to be completed In 1896, they
shall have an outlet to the ocean very near 10
the gateway OF the Pacific.
Concerning its direct benefit to the
people of this coast Captain Merry writes:
1t is in the elimination OF about 10 600 miles
on eur cheap water route for the products OF
the Pacific Coast that the Nicaragua canal will
the most benefit US. Ten thousand miles y
Equal TO twice across the Pacific Ocean, ana
nearly half the circumference of the globe |!
Hereafter shall prove how much cheaper than
any other communication is freight carried by
water, especially upon ocean routes. The evil
dences OF this are all around US and are uni
versal1y admitted.
Further on in the chapter dealing with
the problem of Cheap Transportation, l"
a very valuable and interesting table of
distances between international ports,
showing the saving to be effected by the
canal, is given. According to these figures
the Nicaragua canal Will save IN sailing
distances 10, 753 miles between San Fran
cisco and New Y ork, $500 miles between
Yokohama and New York, 1858 miles be-
tween Honolulu and New York, 1883
miles between San Francisco and New Or
leans, and 1898 miles between San Fran
cisco and Liverpool.
As to the probable and possible earnings
of the canal when completed, Captain
Merry makes the following conservative
estimates:
The tolls which commerce can afford to pay
for the use of the canal have been a proper
question of inquiry Utilizing the locks by
electric lights at night, the canal can pass
90, $40 900 tons annually, which can be
doubled by duplicating the locks. The Suez
canal has passed over 9 600 900 tons annually,
producing revenue Of 10 to 10 per cent. In
the estimate OF tonnage that will use the
Nicaragua canal, the coastwfse commerce of
the United States must always prove an i'm
portant and increasing factor. Already an i'm
meDse commerce, it has no practical limit until
the Great Republic shall have been closely pop
ulated. No other interoceanic canal can COM
pete for this immense carrying trade, while
Great Britain Will make use OF both Nicaragu Ia
6nQ SueZ canals Tor her cOlOnn1a1 trade.
"A careful estimate of the tonnage within the
radius of the attraction by the canal in 1891
made it S,159, $50 tons, but the annual in
crease is matter OF opinion, and has there
fore been placed at the low estimate OF 81 per
cent approximately for the intervening period
until completion in five years. In this connec-
ton l may state that, when the time allowed
for construction has been fixed at i've years,
ii may be largely reduced by the use of electric
lighting, possibly to three years from the
active Inauguration of work, the estimate
made having been based on ten hours per
day labor. 1t is noticeable fact that in 1894,
OF the steamships passing through the Suez
canal 80 per cent continued their passage ar
night by use of the electric lights, navigating
IN safety; & more difficult problem than the
use of electric lights for construction work.
We have assurances of S.730,000 tons }or the
Nicaragua canal by the time it can Be COM
This, at ST 50 per ton (the charge now made
at Suez), will produce S16.150, 500 annual rev.
enue. The cost of maintenance and improve
ments may be safely estimated $1,60e, 900
annually leaving $14, $50 500 net revenue, on q
cost which should pGtexceed $100, 600, 900, and
which may not be over $50, 000, 600 if built by
the aid OF the Government credit. Like the
suez canal, it will be one of the best-paying
properties in the world.
In his descriptive and historical chapter
the author relates an entertaining bit of
history which fully answers the query so
often asked: Why did not Dc Lesseps
choose Nicaragua rather than Panama, if
the former is the best route. Says the
author:
The failure of De Lesseps' application to the
Niearaguan Government recalls an interesting
incident. At that time Fernando GuZman was
President of Nicaragua. Educated in the
United States and France he was wise and
patriotic statesman. The French canal bill
was introduced simultaneously in the Cham
Der of Deputies and Senate. 1t passed the
former and was lost by one vote in the latter.
A motion to reconsider was made and the Sem
ate adjourned President Guzman, when in
formed of the result, sent for the Senator who
moved for reconsidera ton and, while disclaim-
ing any right to interfere with, the action of
the Senate, informed him that unless he was
confident OF enough votes to pass the bill
over the veto it would be time wasted.
The Senator expressed surprise and asked for a
reason, as he deemed the canal great benefit
TO Nicaragua. Guzman answered by asking
him ''if he remembered the French military
occupation of Mexico and their attempt to
destroy the Republic there" remarking also
that If they built the canal they would ulti-
mately control the country and treat Nicara-
qua as they had treated Mexico; that the
Americans ''want the canal and will not
destroy our Government" and if the French
did not build it the American people or Gov
eminent would. This failure of the French to
obtain canal concession from Nicaragua was
sedulously concealed while the Panama canal
was being foated, and his incident answers
the oftTepeated inquiry, why did not De Lesseps
go to Nicaragua If it is so much the best route
for ship canal?
Than Az oo.k - a. oo-oI IL,