New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-10

Only one thing is certain about the Nicaragua
Canal report That is, that 1t makes nothihg
certain. In that it fuliils general expectation.
No discredit needs to be cast upon the three COM
missioners. They have done the work they were
sent TO do. and they have done it as well as they
could in the time and with the means at their
command. The fault lay with the Government
M Washington 1t should have appointed Il
larger commission with more time and amper
means. to make Il thorough job of the survey,
and to make report that would be convincing
and conclusive This commission has done no
such work and has made no such report; TACT
which it's members themselves clearly recognize
for they say frankly that existing data are made
ouate for estimating the cost of the canal, ana
that to obtain proper data an eighteen months
survey, nj a cost OF $35OO00 would be required
From their necessarily superficial and hasty
glance the commissioners are led to think the
canal will cost Just about twice the sum eStl-
mated by the canal company; that Is TO say,
S133472. 1888. instead Of S66, iG6SS Perhaps so.
Indeed II IS quite probable that such may be Inc
case although the superior Observation-Disclosures OF
the COMMISSIONS survey over the company Is
not apparent. The question of cost is nor, now
ever. of primary importance. The first thing 10
be determined is whether II is physically possible
70 construct and maintain the canal at all; ana
ncxt whether the route chosen is the best. After
TINT the question: of expense may be- considered.
Int thcn only in connection with the question
Of proft If the canal will cost only SlOOO,WO.
# should not be constructed unless there Is "A
reasonable assurance that il will be worth $1,000
600 TO its builders ON the other hand. if its
= inn IN NM h,
constructed. provided that there is practical,
certainty If It's being worth Sl0o0'uoo.ooo to lis
builders and to the Nation. For lis worth Is 10
be rcckoncd not only on the basis of mercantile
tolls but also on that ~ the value 10 this Gov
eminent Of having within It's control a means II
getting It's warShips from the Atlantic coast Ia
the Pacific and back again without making tn"
VOYAGE around Cape Horn That is the light in
which the project is properly 10 be viewed. and
in that light, unfortunately. this present report
does not seem 10 view it.
There is lust one point on which no survey
and no report are nc,dcl. That is the desira-
blllty we may say the imperative necessity 81
having the canal. II II be- constructed under
United states control That is increasingly 10
be- insisted upon. As Il commercial highway the
canal will be of more importance 10 Us than 10
any other country. As strateglcal point IL
will be invauable-indcel. absolutely vital 10
our peace and safety. These facts must be- 80
clear to all other nations that They can have no
excuse. in friendliness and good morals. for
Directing t. our control. In fact such control
would b. to their interest. in all friendly ara
peaceful respects. for it would insure. far better
than could be done in my other way. the n'u-
trallty and impartial administration oi the canal.
But whether other Powers so regard 1t or not
! that condition should be insisted upon Ia the
strongest possible manner. Whether II cost
! much or little, whether II be private venture
or public enterprise. whether II be- source
| Of profit or Of loss. any ship canal across any
| Central American >thmus must be entirely AMI
forever under American control.