The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-23
THE CONTROL OF COMMERCE.
Comnerciai waterways ana their Eoonouis
-Nccrnnifr FIR the NIcnrnEnn Canal


Necessity for tho Nicaragua Canal.
Although centuries have passed since tho long
desired short cut to India was first exploited,
the lamentable fact remains that such water
route IL not yet an accomplished fact.
1t is q serious reflection upon the intelligence,
integrity. and energy Of the people Of the Amori-
can continent that after many years OF oxplora-
ton and survey, followed by discussions ad
fnyfnituni, tho only definite conclusion reached
is that such q waterway Is entirely feasible. and
can probably DO constructed within q cost Of
&l30,000,O 900, although competent engineers
have placed the minimum of cost at less than
$780, 900, 900.
In the moan time tho discussion continues,
and tho active and subtle opposition arising
from vested interests, which fear injurious
effects, urges delays. further surveys, and
deeper Investigations; while the commerce of
the world is turned 10000 miles out of its
course at enormous expense and loss OF timc.
Thus, in the days of clipper ships. sailing ut an
average speed of ITO miles per day, the round
trip from New York to San Francisco $4,000
miles) occupied 344 days: to Calcutta H6,oO0
miles via Cape Horn, 41s days, or 1885, 600 miles
via Good Hope) 31s days, whereas by way OF
the Isthmus the same points could have been
reached in 90 and 244 days respectively, thus
saving 254 and "a days on these journeys.
Tho economy Of this time to the owners Of tho
vessels for cost of crew, interest. and insurance
Ia stimated at S2,993 per month. and hence II
254 days on tho round trip were saved 1t would
represent $25,34O, to say nothing of tho in
creased value of the cargo due to more speedy
and certain delivery. This saving, II capitalized
at 4 per cent, represents $685. 800 on a single
vessel. and on 100 vessels per year 1t would be
S63, $50, 600. or almost equal to the estimated
total cost of the project. Yot no account is
taken of the value Of the cargo, the reduction OF
marine risks or losses, or the large tonnage car
ried in steamers.
The plea for moro detailed surveys under these
circumstances rs q pretext for delay would seem
to be wholly unjustiaed, and the mere act OF
guaranteeing the bonds OF the responsible COM
pany holding the commissions would enable the
work to DO undertaken ut once and pushed to
early completion.
In a comprehensive paper by Thomas b.
Atkins, the Secretary of the Maritime Canal
Company OF Nicaragua, may be found an ac-
count of the numerous explorations and surveys
made to connect the two oceans. From this re-
port it will be seen that on his fourth voyage,
made in 1902. Columbus sailed from the north.
erly point OF Nicaragua to the Isthmus OF
lie was followed by Soils. and Pin4on, who Ok.
glored the coast OF Honduras. and in 1910 q
Bal SsF' diseore nssi the Paclac t Ocean nD" Which
leading to the discovery. in 1922 Of the great
lake OF Nicaragua by Gil Gonzales Davila, who
sells overland and rebuilding It on tho shores Of
tho lake. He then discovered its outlet via the
liver Iis r, sGn juan IN PIT Isas aid the mot E asSseoa 6 eSsaHs' S St
wrote to Hernando cor,sz to continue the
continued until 1880, but without success.
an artificial communication by way Of the Rio
Chagres lat Panama. but they had not the means
As early. as 1920 England, Portugal, and
discover the short route to Cathay. The Cabots,
VerraZano, and Cartier made extensive explora-
sphere, but without avail, and spain having
secured possession Of the southern portion OF
the continent and OF the isthmus, assumed a
possible route by other nations. The result was
that for several centuries but little effort was
made to establish this desidcratum.
In l695 William Patterson, the director and
founder OF the Bank of England. proposed to
enablins their possessors to give laws to both
oceans, and to become the arbiters OF .
by establishing an %entrepot at the lsthmus OF
Darien as a distributing centre for the COM
merce Of the world.
This determined policy of Great Britain has
Is to-day one of tho chief obstacles to the con-
s,rucion Of this shortcut across , e. our continent nth mt.
pend upon the temper and indifference OF the
American people to their own best interests and
to the pressure they may bring TO bear upon
their representatives in Congress-; for so Ions. as
foreign amt hostile policies maintain an active
opposition to this measure in the halls OF our
national Legislature, while we remain apathetic.
Just SO long will this great commercial necessity
History repeats itself. for We find that even
while the project of Patterson was maturing the
English and Dutch East India Company, fearing
injury to their monopolies. opposed It, the sub
scriptions were withdrawn. and the scheme was
coIonists food or supplies. Starvation. sick:
ness. and anarchy followed, and the cnterprising
f9lGSn af ss sapiI I7oo' tbs to ta spaniiss s Sect Sn the
prior to his death in obscurity. and poverty,
wrote a prophecy which should have been full
allegiance by the jealousy OF the commercial
powers. 1t was to this effect:
II neither Britain singly nor the maritime powers
distant when, instead OF waiting for the slow returns
Dt st'g move A" wii S - to S' hold " the = saDdSi'n Islands.
Stationed thus in the inildie: ON the east and " st
sides OF the New World, English.Amerlcans " II form
the most potent and singular empire that has ap,
2 part OF 't sSs isnd d OF RI the SS sIoSe. but but in n shs So%inion Q
the whole ocean. They can make the tour o. tbs
wherever they pass. During European wars they
may have the carrying trade OF all II blessed with
letters and arts they will spread civilization over the
universe.
This was prior 10. American independence
when we were but infant British colonies, AND
since our autonomy care has been taken to flank
our commercial outposts by English possessions
on land and sea, in such a manner as to neu
tent possible. London is the clearing house fol
the South American. Australian; East and Wesl
foreign bottoms carry SO per cent. even of oui
own sea going traffic.
With British policy controlling our finances
trade, manufactures. commerce., and a large
part OF our railroads and mines. We may well asl
what has become of the Declaration of indie
pendenco, bought at so precious n price In 1878
When patriotism. not policy, dominates oui
politics we may hope to recover our lost prestige
In the carrying trade OF the world and by liberia
pendence az a God Hearing nation, able TO man
age our divine heritage. not for selfish aggrand
izement but for the good OF all mankind.
LEWIS NJ. HAUPT. G. 4.
PHILADELPHIA, May 20.