The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-11

change1. ne is brought 1000 miles nearer
10 a market. This means great deti'
no. only to the producer. but to the pros
perity of the whole OF our Paclhc coast.
Greater ability to reach market VIII
have the undoubted effect to stimulate
production IL will stimulate emigration;
there will be an increase OF population
and II these three factors do not work
TO the advantage OF the railroads l am
at a loss 10 know what will do so.
The railroads terminating at Pacihc
coast ports now carry the grain from
the interior OF California and Oregon TO
the coast; with Increased production. as
the natural effect OF the existence OF the
canal. they will then carry more than
they do at present, with an Increase or
population, another natural result Of the
building OF the canal, the general business
or the railroads must be increased And
here let me state what may not he gem
orally known, that the tranS-contincntal
railroads do not carry, and never have
carried. the grain products OF the Pacific
coast across the continent. they carry II
20 the Pacific seaports. and from there
IL is sbipped-a million tons annually.
more or less-around Cape Horn TO Eu-
rope.
Finally. in regard to the Nicaragua
canals being a source Of weakness 10 US
from a military point of view.
Such a statement was recently made in
Il leading New York Journal. Il Is diff
cult 10 believe that the writer made IL IN
good faith. for certainly the canal will
be anything but source Of weakness TO
this country. especially Il It Is constructed
with American capital. The fact Is. that
were the canal in existence and an occa-
sion should rise which required sudden
increase OF our naval force IN the Pacific.
or vice versa, its importance 20 Ms cannot
bc overestimated: It's virtual effect would
be 10 double the strength OF our navy.
In one weelI-yes. I'm five days ships OF
war could leave Key West or the Gulf
and be In the Pacific. For a country
whose policy Il IS TO maintain a navy Of
moderate size. should not the canal be re-
Earded as an aid, a valuable auxiliary TO
US. rather than az a source OF weakness;
on this point let me remind your readers
that four years ago, when our relations
with Chill were strained 90 such point
that war between the two countries was
thought 10 Doe imminent, would the canal
n Il had then existed. been "A source OF
weakness TO us? Why, il was. under
stand, contemplated 10 send the monitor
AIantOu0mah. at that time our only IRON
clad, around 10 the Pacific via Cape Horn.
and all other endorsements Of our
Pacific squadron must have. OF course.
gone the same way. II Is needless 20 add
that celebrity Of movement is now re-
Rardcd i'm an military and naval opera
lions as an axiom: II 10 is once decided 10
strike a blow COR even merely TO make
q display OF force). the quicker 10 is done
the better. 1t may be advanced that
larger naval force than We can COM
mand could seize the canal and prevent
our making use OF n. With the great ad-
vantage we hold over all other coun-
tries I'm our proximity 20 the canal. we
would indeed be a poor lot If we allowed
any one 20 reach the canal ahead of MS.
In regard TO the question Of control,
let me say. In conclusion. that nations.
Ike individuals. control what they own.
II the Nicaragua canal Is built with
American money. or by the guarantee OF
money by the United States Government,
then We shall. through ownership he in a
strong position: then We can say 10 the
world fl is our canal: We have built II
with our own money, and, therefore, we
propose 10 control II. There would then
be no one 10 gainsay us
But let the canal be constructed by
money raised I'm Europe IS IL undoubted-
Is will be sooner or later If we decline
10 do so. and then on the question Of con-
troll we shall not be strong. but weak
then some other country than this viii
occupy the position In which it is my
hope TO see the United States
Yours truly.
A. $. CROWNTNSHTELD
Captain. United States Navy.
United States Ship Maine. off Fortress
Monroe, April 4, 1896.