Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-09-01
NlCARAGUAN CANAL.
Statement by Director Smith as 70
What Present Administration


| OS~sv sWs0s SSss"U Sssssos
Washington, Aug. U.-The bureau OF
American republics will issue bulle-
tin on the Nicaraguan canal In a few
days. Director Smith, the author Of
the bulletin. In reply to question said
ne believed the present administration
would prosecute the Nicaraguan canal
enterprise.
THE President said he, has al
ready appointed a commission under a
recent act of Congress appropriating
$4,000 to continue the survey with a
view to selecting the proper route and
ascertaining the feasibility and cost Of
construction of the Nicaragua canal.
The object IL to formulate complete
plans for the entire work of constfuc-
ton. In my opinion. the matter will be
pressed upon the attention Of Congress
as national undertaking. with the OBJ
ject Of securing not only great CONNER
cial advantages to all Of the American
republics but that distinctly American
control Of waterway between the At
lantic and Pacific which is SO impor-
tant, in both diplomatic and mill
tary sense. to a proper enforcement Of
the Monroe doctrine.
Il have no information as to the Pres
ident's attitude toward the enterprise
except such as may be obtained by
anyone from his public acts and utter
ances. The Republican national plat
form adopted at st. Louis last year, de-
clared that the Nicaraguan canal
should be built, owned, and operated
by the United States believe he will
be found to be an advocate of building
the canal, because he has shown so un-
mistakably his desire to fully carry out
the declarations Of his party. and also
because I am satisfied that. when he
comes to consider the subject, he will
be impressed by the Importance OF an
enterprise which, for many years. has
been advocated by the ablest minds Of
both the great political parties, and
presents itself as one of the necessary
features of strong policy for securing
American control Of American interests
without any outside interference.
Il don't think that much is to be APP
pretended from future political agrees
sion on the part Of European, countries.
but If any of them should retain ex-
elusive control Of the banking, the
manufactures, or export and import
trade of any of the Latin American
republics, the evil consequences in GER
tain contingencies could not fail to be
great. The United States. it seems to
me, is upon the threshold Of great
development Of its Industries and COM,
merce. We offer to our Latin Ameri-
can neighbors the opportunity of bene-.
fitting by our enterprise and activity.
which, in the future, must be greatly
augmented, and by diverting the chan
nels of their trade to our shores they
could emancipate themselves from
European influence, which involves
more or less uncertainty and risk that
would not be incurred in dealing with
the United States.
THE closer the bonds of commercial
enterprise and the greater the volume
of business between this country and
other republics, the vaster the practi-
cal benefits which must follow to all
the undeveloped territories to the south
of US from a steady influx of the United
States enterprise and industry. Not
onlyt our own capital, but European
capital also assured of profitable en-
ployment in the undertakings which
our restless and energetic people are
sure to engage in, would rush to those
countries, which at present are develop
ing but slowly. OF course this would
mean the closest political affiliation,
and the realization in time of the dream
of every great statesman, not only Of
our own country. but of those republics.
of solidarity, of influence and power for
America in the councils of the world"
"You regard the Nicaragua canal,
then. than something more than a
scheme or mere partisan issue?"
Eyes, indeed 1t Is clear to me that it
ought not to be considered In a specula-
tive light at all, and 1t has never been a
party question: No one can say how
far 1t Is proper for the government of the
United States to go In assuming the cost
of the construction of the canal, for 1t
ought to be built with the cooperation
and active support of all the American
concerned AS to the party as |
pect of the matter, glance at the plat |
forms of the two great parties for many |
years back will show that the Nicara-
guam route has commended itself equally |
to both. The Republican platform of 1883 |
indOrses the Nicaraguan canal. |
It will be remembered that Major McKin-
ley was member or the committee
which reported this resolution, and that !
it was unanimously adopted by the con-
ventiOn. The Democratic platform of |
1892 was also emphatic.
ITO these official declarations of the |
party platforms may be added a long Sc |
ries of quotations from our leading states
men under various administrations, in |
affirmation of the same general policy. |
It may be said. indeed, that every Presi- |
dent of the United States from the time |
Of Monroe has favored the construction |
Of canal across the isthmus under
American auspices. The canal would be |
more beneficial to the commerce of the /
world than anyone now thinks.
Its Importance to the worlds COM |
merce Is obviously greater than that OF |
the Suez canal, which has fully demon
;trated its usefulness and its capacity to |
vie.d rich returns to the investors. The |
3uez canal is utilized chiefly for the COM
merce Of Europe. The Nicaragua canal |
would not only bring Europe much closer |
10 the Pacific literal of the two Americas |
and to the South Pacific islands. but |
would be of immense advantage In short I
ming distances between the eastern and
western coast of South America and the |
western shores OF North america, besides
making tributary to America the whole /
field Of Japan, China Eastern sIndo-
china, Malaysia and Australasia.
"One Of the most interesting facts In
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