The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-02
THE NICARAGUA CANAL

Out Of the complications surrounding
Us there Is arising once more the ques-
ton OF the Nicaragua canal. The jour-
ney OF the Oregon, made necessary by
having to 60 from the Pacific to the
Atlantic. Is one OF the most remarkable
on record. yet II took her over two
months TO make the trip. In sixty days.
including stops, the Oregon steamed
more than half the circuit Of the globe.
for. as her course lay. the distance from
San Francisco to Barbados Is 1850
miles. Deducting the eleven days spent
in coaling, tho Oregon's speed was more
than 277 knots a day. She left San
Francisco March 10. According to her
itinerary. the Oregon travelled rather
leisurely until she arrived at Punta
Arenas. In the Strait Of Magellan, but
there Capt. Clark probably received in
on speed. Her movements during the
last part Of her journey are not de-
cisively known because Of the suppress
sion OK news. but We know that she
arrived at Rio Janeiro. distance of
1900 nautical miles. in nine days. so
that she must have Travelled at the rate
OF 333 knots a day.
With the Nicaragua canal in exist
ence. the North Atlantic squadron could
be put into the Pacific within g week.
We do not overlook the possibility of
the canal being damaged by an enemy
30 that q vessel might be locked up in
Lake Nicaragua, but there are risks to
be taken in war. and the chances Of
such damage are not greater than the
chances we took OF the Oregon being
met in midocean by the enemy's fleet
The object. however. OF having the
canal Is TO strengthen our Pacific coast
squadron. Our future interests will lie
10 the westward and not to the east
japan Is the new power or the western
side OF the Pacific. and although we
are friendly with that country, the time
might come when her interests and ours
would clash. We are seeking to extend
our commerce in China, and although
that country Is helpless now. her people
are stubborn and antagonistic 10 for
eigners. and We might be called upon to
make display of force on her coast.
Commodore Crowninshieid, chief Of
the bureau Of navigation, and lately a
member of the naval board OF strategy.
has recently issued recommendation
for the construction Of the Nicaragua
canal which has been submitted TO the
senate, He says that until there Is a
way. easy OF access. from each of these
oceans 20 the other. should certain con-
tingcncies arise. as a nation We are
| helpless" lie has been criticised fer
this exaggeration or our condition, but
| In view of the serious delay necessary
| In sending relief to Dewey, his Language
seems almost justified.
Dewey's achievement is almost un.
| raFaileied. and We can never hone 20
! escape so completely froin damage In an
| encounter with another fleet. Even had
| we been victorious. bat had lost oae or
| two of our battleshlps, cur position In
/ the Philippines would he very precari-
| oGs. The canal would not help us much.
! 1t Is true. IL sending land forces, bat II
| would he 81 vast advantage II. instead
| 81 sending aid around Cape Horn or
| djsrAtch warshlps &c. hts assistance
| through the Nicaragua canal
II we are 10 retain the Philippines. as
row seems likely. we must have Hawaii
/ as resting place ana Coai!ng station.
| and W. must build the canal