The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-17
THE NICARAGUA CANAL
seattle. March Is. 1897

sion on the question II vas believed that
the people OF this Coast were Almost
unanimous in favor o. that grand pro1ecl.
not only because OF the local penents 10
Be received, but because Il woElo Dc
good thing for the whole United states
On that occasion only one side or the
question was discussed, and 10 this fact,
no doubt the expression given may 70
attributed. Il cannot be ceifeyed Iaas
the people OF Seattle and the state OK
washington will, after duly considering
the Importance OF the canal from every
standpoint. De disposed 20 throw away
sneh a grand opportunity or lettering
their condition
The PRINCIPAL trade OF the Pacific coast
az the present time IS with the Atlantic
and interior states OF this union. ana but
FOR ths high rates on heavy goods II
would soon develop into immense proper
tons. Competition on the trans-ecnti-
mental lines OF railway has NOT anorded
relief The one thing needful 20 the pros
rsrity OF the Pacific coast states IS
cheaper rates on such goods. and this viii
come with the construction OF the Near
aqua canal II is sn ascertained ract
that charges on heavy goods oy sea -
only one-tenth OF what Il IS by ran Pas-
sage through the canal brings New York
city within easy reach by water cutting
of nearly II. 900 miles. The same Is true
union which can be reached by the CUR
Of Mexico and the Mississippi river.
Chicago proposes to have waterway
by canals and rivers 70 the gulf. with
cheap freight thus assured. an immense
business would soon spring up between
the Pacific and the older states East; and
il would be reciprocal, since each has
what the other wants. ana wants II at
the least cost The route through the
canal would place NewYork city, II Is said,
rs miles nearer the Pacific coast than any
transcontinental railway now offers Inc
significance OF this fact Is or great weight
IN considering the internal commerce OF
the country. Commercial relations VITA
the older states would not only be placed
on an enduring basis full OF pront 10 the
state OF Washington, but an opportunity
would he afforded in time. no doubt, TO
establish good trade relations with Eng
land and European countries. These con-
siderations cannot be ignored In deter
mining whether or not the canal Will De
an advantage TO this state.
There Is no probability whatever that
our trade relations with China and Japan
would be switched off and pass to the At
Iantic seaboard or some other place IN
consequence Of the construction or this
canal. No people were ever known TO run
counter to their own interests in trade
relations. Why should they pass oy the
Sound country, which produces the ioentl-
cal articles they want and go 70 the At
lantic coast? II does not stand TO reason
that they would want to travel, in going
and coming, $500 or 10000 miles farthsf'
and lose two months OF time.
At present they want our lumber, which
could not be had elsewhere In the United
States on as easy terms. This Is so PLAIN
that It needs only to be stated to carry
conviction. They buy our -four, and this
is likely to become great industry, since
the state seems especially adapted TO
wheat culture
In the name OF common sense, why
should they pass Us by and lose time and
money IN seeking at a greater distance
this commodity? There is no good reason
for coming to such conclusion. 1t is prob
able that the Pacific and adjoining states
will be able 10 supply all the cereal pro-
ducts needed in the Orient for many years
TO come. They are now using our canned
milk TO considerable extent, which Is
likely 10 increase as the years go oy
Butter Is also shipped to those countries
What state In the union is bettcr prepared
10 supply these dairy products than Wash
ington? The state, from It's climatic con
ditions and vegetable productions. Is bet
ter adapted to dairying than any other
portion OF the union, perhaps. This peloa
the fact such products should and vii
Afforded elsewhere. From the present
outlook. this business is destined 10 be
one OF the big industries of the state and
will be able 10 supply all demands Then
what could prompt these countries 70 &C
farther and fare worse? They VIII never
do IT, These are the principal things now
exported to those countries. In time,
doubtless. when they become enthused
with railroad building they will need iron
and steel rails and other iron products.
Iron ore. coal and lime lie in tuxtaposi-
ton In this state. in quantities and ohall'V
equal 10 that OF any other state ana, oe-
cause OF this, can be wrought into For
and steel products on as favorable, even
more favorable terms, than IN other poT-
tons OF the union. II this be so-and Il
can hardly be called In question-then, as
soon as our iron mines are opened "a
meet the demand, those countries vii
come right here TO lay In all their stock
for the reason that they could not DO 50
well anywhere else. Most articles I'M
ported into the United States from Chin
and Janan are OF light weight ana can
be easily transported. as IS now done on
our railroads. Much moro on the
same line could be added, but this
seems to be enough TO do away with
the "bugaboo'' OF switching this trade
through the Nicaragua canal when
Il shall be opened. But other advantages
this canal II would have the enect OF
building up once more the merchant
marine of this country. and making OF
II one Of the great carrying nations OF
the world, as BY right IL ought 20 be. In
that event the great snip building Tn
dustry would be located on the SOUND
for the obvious reason that the timber
and hRrbor needs could not be so success
fully met elsewhere. What wonderful
boom on solid basis would thus be given
70 this COAST This Is no Idle fancy. bat
would follow the opening OF The canal as
certainly as water runs down hill. which
could be shown ~ time and space permit
ted. Another advantage would be the pro-
lection afford B this coast In time or war
with Oriental powers. Japan IS fast fofs-
l-fg % the front as nation OF modern Gus
toms and SUPPLIED with the best arma-
rarnfs % war. and China in self-defense
Is hound Ia follow suit. NHen these pow
erful nations shall have learned the arts
If approved warfare. Il MISUNDERSTANDING
rith chem would most likely oode no good
"a our Pacific coast. Happy would Ee
~ la fhze case should the canal De open
50 that the Atlantic naval feet could b
rzre In Zine ~ meet the advancing hosts.
sac thus save our cities from lombard
naent Should our naval feet be stationed
IN lake Nicaragua which Is 10 miles long
thirty miles % ide and a part Of the canal
as 70 prabaalT would Be. its service on
either the Atlantic or Pacific oceans could
~ rendered with the greatest faculty END
on the shortest notice.
A-v one WAC studies tire question thor-
3uehly must ~ forced 20 the conclusion
that che canal wili - the gateway OF the
vorld through v5hlch tie commerce o
ala nations ia bound 20 3oN. The S3ez
canal yielded n revenue last year o. rs
essa ga It's cost vres SaF2 ot8 ~. Prom ssa,-