The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-09-15
THE CANAL.

There is no doubt that when completed
wonders OF the word, and, II, as seems
probable, the work win be done by
Americans, with American money ana
under American supervision, its compile
3 lion viii be one OF the greatest achieve
ments of the republic, whether in war or
in peace. Its magnitude Is such--the es-
timated cost being $4,000 O,eOO-that 1t
could only be done by a great nation,
or by gigantic combination of caritai-
lists, such as would only be possible in
the financial capitals of Europe. In fact,
II Is said that English capitalists would
have undertaken the work long since
but that the United States government
would not allow Europeans intermed-
ding with anything in the New World
SO c.ose TO our borders. But this state
OF things cannot last long The UNDER
taking is OF worldwide Importance
and the United States Will ere long be
obliged either to take the matter up itself
or allow those who will to build 1t. 1t is
outside of our territory and 1t is only
quasi right of being the protector OF
the Central American republics, or OF
keeping foreign forts and warships far
from our borders that gives us any
show OF right In the matter. The canal
viii be constructed either by company
borrowing the credit Of the United States
or by European one, and completed
after a lapse OF about twelve years. 1t
viii take at least three years more to
bring matters to focus so that the era
of actual construction shall begin. 1t is
said that II can be completed within
seven years, but no doubt it will take
longer; ten years, or nine at least.
That 1t win shorten the time of reach
ing any point In the Pacific or In the
Australians phenomenaly Is certain. 1t
will cut time and distance in two. Mer-
chandise shipped by sea viii lie able
to reach most ports on the west coast
OF America or the eastern coast Of Asia
and the Australlas In about one~half the
tlme lHul u Wouiu tdke ny tne cape
Horn route. The lattec will be dead
letter in the navigation of the future
The struggle between ship and rail will
only then have commenced and freghts
vii. be brought down to the lowest notch
to which II is possible to bring them.
1t goes without saying that they will be
very low between the ports of the At
lantlc states and the Gu.f OF Mexico ana
tac Pacific. that there vii, be big cut,
and that the nllroads coming to Ore
gon and Washington win have to meet it.
II.
The shortening OF the voyage to Europe
would mean a great dea, to farmers ana
those engaged In our wheat and fruit
trade. Freights would be permanently
low, and the farmer would not as now,
have TO divide up profits with the ship
owner. This would hep out low world
prices for wheat as far as we are con-
eerned In a wonderful manner and would
be an equally wonderful, aid In develop
ing the prosperity of the cultlvator OF
tue soli' without Whied there can be no
real life In manufactures or trade. Cheap
freights, too, would be the order OF the
day between this coast and the Eastern
and southern ports OF the United States.
and result In a wonderful development of
our fruit trade. The lumbermen OF Ore
gon ana the coast Noull lind a long-de-
sired Quiet for their product, which
cou.d be placed cheap!y in the markets
OF Europe and the East instead OF, as
now, being almos' excluded therefrom
We be.icve that the canal would be a
potent factor in dsve.opmg the trade and
resources ci this clty and state, and our
citizens should be foremost in the at
tempt 10 bring the projeet to speedy COM
p.etion.