The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-27
NICARAGUA CANAL.
Lay OF the Land Over Which Govern
ment's Commission VIII travel.

ment's Commission Will travel
The final fate OF the Nicaragua Canal
project will shortly be decided. The
United States guntoat Newport has sailed
away with commission of engineers ap-
pointed by the government, ard their re-
port as to the feasibility of the waterway
between the Atlantic and Pacific will de-
termine whether or not the United States
shall control this great but still en-
bryonic enterprise.
!, Records show that 1t became q serious
matter in the last century, but no det-
mite plan of action was ever adopted un-
til few years ago, when work on the
route was actually begun.
But this canal through the isthmus Is
not q thing which can be accomplished
readily and there Is some divergence of
opinion in r gard to the best place on
the isthmus through which TO cut it,
the narrower strip near Panama but SO
far there is no Immediate promise Of sue
cess In the undertaking.
The American company has chosen the
longer, though apparently less difficult
route through the State of Nicaragua
On this line the natural water courses
will be used extensively, and IL Is sup
posed by many TO he, consequently, n
more practical undertaking than the
one through the higher hills near Pan
anna.
At the eastern entrance of the canal is
the settlement Of Greytown. After
proper dredging and lights have made
the harbor navigable ship approaching
from the eastwsrd will not find the navi-
CATION difficult. AT the present time,
however, the shoal water and the low
country, partly hidden In the almost con-
tinual rain, make tho approach rather
dangerous On entering the ship will
proceed OH an almost straight cut until
the Ochoa district is reached. Here an
enormous dam across the natural bed of
the San Juan river marks the natural bed
of the frat point where remarkable skill
in engineering will be displayed.
The ship will be turned into the natural
red OF this large stream, and will proceed
slowly through the jungle country until
locked up TO the level of Lake Nicaragua.
This will be about 10 feet above the
mean low water level in the Caribbean Sea,
and is called mean lake levol. On enter
ing Lake Nicaragua the channel across
the lake runs straight toward the point
on the opposite shore where the cut to
the Pacific begins. The lake is lass than
fifty miles wide at it's broadcast point and
ia deep enough at distance of half
mile from shore to float the largest ship
Here the sailor will have n breathing
SPELL after his cruiss overland and after
teing locked down to the quist waters
of the Pacific. the vessel will be free to
proceed to her destination with q full
realization of how we'll the quiet ocean
deserves its name
The commission appointed by the
President to go over the proposed route
during the winter of 1878 is tn decide
certain questions in regard to the cost
and feasibility of the project, as sug-
eested by the canal company. 1t is COM
posed OF three of the ablest men in the
United States for deciding These matters,
and is supported by number Of naval
officers, civil engineers and assistants.
Two men of war will aid the expedition
and will assist in the photographic work
in the harbors on the east and west
coasts. Tho shore parties will have to go
over many OF the old lines, and. as the
Jungle has long closed these, they will
have to cut their way through, as be-
FORE with the niachete.
The commissioners will return to the
United states In the spring, and, as their
report will probably be final as to the in
terest the government will take in the
project the civilized world will await
them with some impatience 20 know II
the greatest Of republics will decide TO
control the gateway 20 the Pacific. N.