New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-02
CONDITIONS BETTER THAN EXPECTED.
TALK WITH F. 8. wAsHBURN AS TO THE PEAS
IBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING THE MICA
RAGCA CANAL

Frank s. washburn returned yesterday from
Central America, where he went with a party Of
thirteen to investigate the feasibility OF the Mica
ragua Canal construction. Among the party were
d. l.. Cragin. OF Chicago and L. E. Cooley. an
authority on ship canals. and the chief engineer OF
the Chicago Drainage Canal. Accompanying these
men were the representatives of nine contracting
firms who have been asked to make a proposition
TO the syndicate represented by f. L. Cragin. for
the construction Of the Nicaragua Canal. Mr..
Washburn. was seen at his Office. No. 81 William
St. yesterday. and said that the committee will
be ready to report to the syndicate in about q
month
AS summary OF opinions" he added II
may say that from nearly all points OF view our
impressions were more favorable than we antici-
pated. and found conditions better than have
been heretofore reported The matters which
bear directly upon the question Of the practicable
ity OF the canals construction. and the cost and
ease of Its maintenance. climatic conditions,
rainfall. labor and the governments Of Nicaragua
and Costa Rica. AS regards the climate. there
seems 10 be no why the work cannot be
as we'll conducted far the health OF the
laborers is concerned. in the more favored por-
tons OF country Our observation con-
vinces us that the difficulties due to rainfall are
fully offset by the frosts in the northern parts
OF country.
we found that the native laborers excel
lent p!ckers and shovellers. and the record OF i'm
ported labor, from Jamaica ana the southern
States is excellent It should be remembered that
no labor can accomplish much In that country
as in our This fact however. is partially
offset by the 1t is impossible 10 say
what the rate of wages would be when twenty
thousand or thirty thousand men are required for
employment on the canal. but at present common
labor in Nicaragua receives what is equivalent 10
50 cents in gold a day.
THE Republic Of Nicaragua will be affected by
the cana. In a greater degree than Costa Rica The
Conservative party, which was In power until a
few years ago, and the Liberal party, which is
now in power, enthusiastic friends or the
canal. They. Of course, realize the tremendous
advantages which the canal would bring TO al
tho people of Nicaragua. The Government OF
similarly though in less degree. All the express
sions received from the President and his Cabinet
we're hearty and friendly to the canal, but we
surmised that the present strained relations ard
consequent jealousies between Nicaragua and Costa
Rica prevented the same active interest on the
part OF President Iglesias Of Costa Rica as was
present in the attitude OF President Zelaya or
Nicaragua. . g.
"There seems be fever, excepting at Grey
town the Atlantic port for the canal. where we
were assured that a fatal case Is the exception
where observe the ordinary rules OF health IN
and abst ain from the excessive use OF alcohol or
twenty-five hundred laborers engaged for a year
on a twelve-mile railroad through the swamps
from Greytowp only three died"