The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1896-07-09

THE PANAMA CANAL
Present Aspect OF the Uncors
tunate Colossal Enterprise.
n Completed the Great Canal Would ne
Of worid-wide Benefit, But In Case
OF War Would Weaken the Coast
Defense Of the United stAtos-


OF War Would Weaken the Coast
Defense Of the United seAtos
The announcements was made by teie-
graph few weeks ago that work had
been resumed on the Panama canal II
Is now more than five and half years
since all active work on the canal was
suspended.
The enterprise has been most unfor
hnnate during its whole history. The
concession for constructing the canal
was given, in 1877, by the government
Of Colombia to Lieut.. Bonaparte Wyse,
Of the French navy. He secured the
great name and the active cooperation
Of Ferdinand de Leseeps, the successful
builder of the Suezcanal; and the canal
company was formed in 1879.
The plan, says the Youths Companion.
was to build sea-level canal from the
Atlantic TO the Pacific. An estimats
of the cost Of the work was made BY
engineers; but Count de Lesseps cut II
down nearly one-half, and fxed 1t AZ
Eve hundred and twelve million francs
IA little more than one hundred mil
i:on dollars. The enterprise was in
augurated with banquets and fetes,
and with all that theatrical display OF
confidence which was characteristic OF
Count de Lesseps. The opening OF the
canal, II was promised, should talks
place in 1883.
But the difficulties Of the work had
been underestimate TO an absurd de-
gree. The floods Of the rainy season,
which make the Chagres river unman.
ageable, the unhealthiness Of the
country, and the distance from supplies
were some Of these difficulties, and
rendered all preliminary calculations
worthless.
In 1887 more than six hundred and
forty million francs had been spent,
and the work was not half done. II
was then estimated that the cost of
completing the canal, not at the sea-
level. but with ten locks, would be six
hundred and fifty-four million francs
The government Of France authorized
the company TO borrow great sum on
lottery bonds. But the people Of France
had become tired Of putting their
money into the scheme. The loan, of
fered In Paris In December, 1855, was q
failure; the company became banlrnpa
and when the funds gave out work was
stopped.
Then began an investigation into the
financial working Of the company. II
was found that the funds Of the cor
poration had been used right and left
In substituting the press and in corrupt
ing the French ministers and parlia-
ment. The officers Of the company
we're tried for fraud, and some Of them,
Including both the old Count de Lesseps
and his SON Charles, were found guilty
and sentenced to undergo long terms
Of imprisonment. Charles de Lesseps
was imprisoned for q time, but his
father was not compelled to 60 70
prison.
The scandals ruined the regulations
Of bankers, journalists and politicians,
: some of whom had occupied exalted
positions; and the whole scheme has
fallen into such discredit that all sub
sequent attempts 10 raise large sums
Of money for the enterprise have failed.
The present resumption Of work "a
not matter Of much Importance. En-
. Eineers have estimated, since this
digging ceased In March, 1889, that MOI
less than nine hundred million francs
must be expended to complete the
sanal, and the company has not a
twentieth part Of that sum In hand.
There has always been much misrep-
resentation as 10 the condition Of the
work. It was not easy 70 disprove the
: statement make BY agents Of the com
, peny. The undertaking was In too 70
mote and unhealthy Q region TO be vis
tied and examined by persons who
were impelled By curiosity only.
In fact, Of the forty-six miles Of The
length Of the canal, the cutting fol
: about eighteen and one-haH miles 4
I finished 70 sea-level; and throughout
= the entire length, from ocean 70 ocean
c the cutting already done IL from ten q
. thirty feet
e During this time the government
!, and people Of the United States hav'
!. never bean enthusiastic supporters d
r this enterprise. They do not wish anJ
: part Of the American continent TO be q
j. subject 10 any European government
; hs Colombia would be TO France, wer,
y the canal 10 be finished and owned b
o French company.
Il Is o great enterprise and les com
pletion would be 0 benefit 10 the world
Bat o look far into the future reveal
the possibility that, In case Of o war
+ Its possession By France might caus,
y. the United States great injury.
= No doubt Of some time the canal vii
" be finished; but he Is o bold man VIII,
% should venture 70 predict when or b
re whom. The only safe prophecy Z
4. that the company now employing
\. small force On tha Line viii moo
|, @his 80 .=
- The ingram combers and card stri
= pers have Joined the 800 ingram wea
q srs In the strike At the Lowell lMas.
J. carpet mills. - .
The Peoris tllls.l Ministerial associ
ton il circulating petitions 10 enfors
-. the laws for Sunday closing Of plae,
Of amusement
To Protect Afrsess Eisphsss.
= Herr Carl Hagenbeck. Of Hamburg
- the animal trainer and collector. Civ,
"a II as his opinion that the best way
ie protect the African elephant from 81
III tinction Is 10 prohibit the cxportatio
n Of tuslSs weighing less than ten XII,
"a twenty-five pounds and 70 stop n
killing II females and young bulls m
encourage hunters, by offering the
d prtzeA. to capture The animals alive IN