The herald., 1897-09-19

WE'LL" said the don, "in this connection
to mention that this great naturalist
has spoken in words Of no stinted praise
Of the ability Of our scientific men,
to whose names we point with pride
and who have rendered illustrious by
their virtues their mother country.
Among those names stand preeminent
those OF Writes and Coldas."
CLOSER COMMERCIAL RELATIONS
In response to the question as to the
best methods to be employed in the
establishment OF closer commercial re-
lations between Colombia and the United
States. Senor Canal suggested the open
ing Of the great Panama waterway.
"The opening Of this commercial path
way cannot fail to be constant source
of profitable return both to Colombia
and all nations who care to investigate
our rich and privileged country. 1t is
to be regretted that from the very be-
ginning of the work upon the Panama
canal there have been few Americans
who, for very uncertain reasons, have
appeared to prefer the opening of the
Nicaragua canal and the adjacent ter
ritories instead Of the country embraced
within the territorial limits of Colombia
and the adjoining states. This, in my
judgment, Is sad mistake. In this
opinion 1 am fortified by the reports oil
the French engineers who came first
to America in order to investigate the
possibilities of the success of an isthmus
canal. One of the strong reasons urged
by those who are interested in the de-
velopment of the Nicaragua canal pro-
ject is the favorable opinion Of that en-
terprise given by General Grant While
yield with much dsference to the opin-
ion Of that distinguished soldier and
statesman upon all ordinary questions
Of war and state, cannot help feeling
that in regard to the isthmus waterway
General Grant did not speak advisedly,
although with unquestionable honesty,
and it must be admitted that those who
reside and have grown up in the neigh
borhood of that section Of the country
ought at least to have as good an opin-
ion with reference to advantages as
strangers. 1t was the eminent French
engineer, Baron De Lesseps, whose
genius conceived the project and gave
birth TO the practical enterprise of the
Suez canal, and it must also be recalled
in that connection that it was the Eng
|iish people who were the worst enemies
of that enterprise. yet who, after its
success had been demonstrated, became
the most favored ones in that concern.
The subject Of Napoleon III. was the
creator. but an English cabinet reaped
the advantages.
MERCHANTS AT FAULT
Speaking of trade relations, 1 regret
to say that American merchants do not
seem to comprehend the situation
touching transportation in our country
as well as the English and German
traders. The American merchant seems
to forget that, owing to our mountainous
country, the pack mule is yet the great
agency Of transportation in Colombia
Not reme mberng this the American
merchant consigns his goods in large
parcels which require repacking before
transportation, at much expense and
trouble, while his English or German
competitor, alive to the situation, places
his goods in the hands Of the Colon bian
in such form as to make them easily
handled and transported without change
Of wrapping.
Il could say much In, behalf of our
country-there u the state OF Cauca,
whioh has been pronounced the paradise
Of the world by many well known trav-
elers. such ~ Reohiris. Bolivar and many