The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-29
AT NICARAGUA.
Great Obstacles in the Way
Of Completing the Canal.
Capitalists Will Render Aid TO Accom-
pIish Government Purposes.

WASHINGTON, March 20 --MessrA War
ner Miller, Smith Weed, Hitchcock and
Bartlett Of New York called on the presi-
dent Secretary Gresham and Secretary
Lamont yesterday in connection with the
appointments of the commission to ex'
anime the Nicaragua canal route, as pro-
vidcd for by a clause In the last sundry
civil appropriation bill
This clause makes an appropriation oil
81, 900 for the purpose of ascertaining the
feasibility, permanence and cost of con-
Dtruction and completion OF the canal on
the present route. and provides for the APP
pointment of commission Of one army
engineer, one naval engineer and one
civilian expert to visit and inspect the
canal
The work Is to be done under regula-
tions prescribed by the secretary OF state
and the president Is to appoint the COM
mission. The latter are also authorized TO
suggest any deviation from the present
Inc that they may deem desirable.
The calls on the president and Secreta-
ries Gresham and Lamont disclosed gem
eral desire to appoint tho commissioners
and equip an expedition to Nicaragua at
the earliest day practicable. No names
were mentioned by the canal officials for
the places as commissioners, nor had any
names yet been considered by the exccu-
tive authorities. The only desire Of the
canal people was to have capable and we'll
known men, whose judgment would carry
weight, selected. IL was definitely under
stood that the appointments would be
mule soon.
One Of the most important features OF
the conferences was tender by the canal
people of facilities and equipments neces-
sary for the expedition. The government
appropriation is only $4,000. This Is
much too small for the work to be done.
A force Of 80 or 60 men will be necessary.
They will have to cut roads, carry boats,
establish depots Of supplies and equip pro-
vision trains.
Appropriation IL Inadequate.
The $4,000 will not do more than pay
salaries. leaving the great bulk Of ex'
penses for transportation in this inacccsi.
BILE region, road making. provisions, etc,
TO be supplied from other sources Be-
sides this, there is the scientific work of
surveying. examining soils, ETC. All Of
these expenses the canal officials gave as
suranoes Of meeting. They have the
route, with rendezvous az Greytown and
NAnAguA
At the conclusion Of the conference,
Chairman Bartlett Of tho executive COM
mittes, which has recently rcorganized the
company, outlined the projected work.
"It II net desirable" he said, that the ex.
petition start at the earliest day practica-
ble The rainy season begins In May and
lasts until November. until which time
the rainfall 10 as high as four and five
inches daily. This, and the climate, will
make it hard fer men untried to the local
~, but 10 will not be an insuperable OBJ
stacle.
''The dssire is to complete tho work this
summer In order that . report may be
ready next December. It will require an
organization almost equal to an expcdi-
tion to the heart Of Africa. Roads along
the route have been cut already, but are
overgrown with dense tropical foliage.
''Then there are morasses and lagoons
which will compel the party to carry boats
overland Supply depots will have 20 be
established about every five miles, and
communication maintained with the base
Of suppliea Tho company Is willing to
aid the government by providing the
means for this extensive work.
'"rhe purpose of congress appears to be
20 secure comprehensive investigation Of
the route rather than the survey, as a sur
vey would be the work of years. When
the commission Is organized 1t will be put
In possession of all the drawings details,
etc, OF the last and best survey, which Is
Now Gsneraiiy Accepted.
1T will take some weeks for the COM
missioners to familiarize themselves with
this intricate work. The expedition proper
probably will cover three or four months
The rest of the time will be required for
preparing the notes Of the investigation
and making of report"
Mr.. BARTLETT was asked II the pending
trouble between Great Britain aad Mica
ragua would embarrass the work or
threaten the United States interests in the
canal
mot in the slightest" he said. There
il sure to be an amicable adjustment of
that controversy. AT one time there was
some talk that Great Britain would inter
fere and build the canal II we did not, but
that time is passed. The British influence
Is In no danger Of being exerted In Mica
rngua TO the prejudice of the United
States. Great Britain has her commerce,
and is satisfied to keep it."
Mr.. BARTLETT said -Ie new officers and
plan of organization OF the reorganized
company will be announced at an early
date The reorganization committee he
added. has succeeded In freeing the com.
yany from debt and putting it on stable
basis