The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-03-12
AN INTERNATIONAL CANAL

Mr. Nimo, the thsorist and statistician,
IN his recent article in the Forum
talks the same way--and it would be
with the same effect. II II were rot for
the delay 1t tends to cause-about the
practicabihty and prodt Of the Nicaragua
canal as other wise men Of the East
talked IN their day about the feasibility
OF the Atlantic cable and the proposal
to build a railroad over the Rocky mount
aims.
Mr. Nimo is doubtless sincere in his
spsnSon that the engineering difficulties
OF the canal are almost insurmcuntable,
and. II ever constructed. ths enormous
cost OF the canal would forbid its
profitable operation. hut there is good
reason TO believe that the widespread
publicity now being given to Mr.. Nimo's
argument can be traced with little
trouble to certain influences which have
secretly fought the canal project ever
since its first inception.
The canal viii be built all right enough.
although il may be at such a far dis
tant DAY in the future that no person
now on this continen, will live long
enough to derive any advantage from 1t.
What this coast needs and must have to
enjoy the full measure OF prosperity pos
sihle TO it is the immediate construction
Of the canal. and II the timidity or preju-
dice of congrtss is going to result in any
more commissions OF inquiry or other
ptetexts for delay. 1t would be far better
for the friends Of the canal 20 abandon
The lines upon which they are now work
nng and adope new scheme entirely.
Either England. Germany or Russia
win put up the money and complete
the construction Of the canal within the
next ave years II the United States
will cease to play the part OF the deg
in the manger about the matter. In
deed, II is believed that the reoeatad OBJ
structions which Mr.. Cleveland has cast
in the way Of the canal are due 10 the
Vaccinations Of the British agents and
diplomats at Washington.
England, very properly from her stand
point. does rot want the canal construct
ed under the auspices Of this govern
ment or subject to our control after II
Is put in operation. She may never ex-
pect TO own or control .he canal herself,
but she does not propose that any other
nation shall occupy such an advantage,
and, least Of all, this country. And
with the influence Of our own citizens
whose interests are against the canal, it
now begins to be apparent that there is
little hope for the canal under the pres
ent plan in the near future.
However much It may 30 against the
grain Of their patriotism, the wise thing
for Pacific coast people now to do is to
cease all further effort to get our gov
ernment TO foster the enterprise, and,
instead OF passing a Nicaragua canal
bill. to induce congress to negotiate
treaty with the leading commercial ma
tions Of Europe, under which any nation
or combination Of nations may undertake
the construction Of the canal, with a
guarantee from all the others both as
to the protection Of the capital invested
and the absolute commercial neutrality
Of the canal when put in operation.
This international agreement should also
provide for the closing Of the canal to
the war vessels Of all nations except in
a time Of universal peace.
There can be no doubt whatever that
Sucb a treaty could be successfully ne
gotlated with every European govern
ment, and that the monty could be
raised and work on the canal commenced
within twelve months after its ratifica-
ton by our senate. As bitter a Gisap-
pointment as it might be to the patriotic
people Of the whole United States who
believe that this great canal is OF such
national Importance that it ought to be
constructed regardless Of cost directly by
shis government, and und dr the super
vision Of Cur navy department, the Pa
sifie coast cannot afford to have its de-
TeIoBnrsnt retarded by the century Of
delay which will yet be required to edu-
cate our people up to a proper realiza-
ton of the significance Of the subject.