The herald., 1898-12-30
FULL TEXT OF REPORT
MADE BY NICARAGUA CANAL
COMMISSION
MEMBERS ARE FULLY AGREED
In the Opinion That the Construction
Of a Canal Across Nicaragua
Is Feasible
Associated Press Special Wire


WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-The full text
canal commission was today made public.
1t is as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE, T.
Nicaragua Canal Commission,
Washington, December %.
The Honorable Secretary of State, Wash
ington-Sir: We have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt OF your letter of the 10Th
inst, inclosing copy of the resolution of
the senate of the 18th of December, re-
questing report of the progress made by
this commission in investigating the ques-
tion of the proper route, the feasibility and
cost of construction OF the Nicaragua ca
nal.
This commission has understood the law
by which it was constituted, approved June
4, 1897, to require that all routes heretofore
proposed having any merit are to be con-
sidered, new routes that appear to have
merit are to be developed, and the entire
region of cannl possibilities to be exam
ined with sufficient thoroughness to enable
a just and comprehensive comparison of the
various routes to be made and the most de-
sirable one selected. In short, to enable
this commission to make complete and
exhaustive report.
With this in view, the commission visited
Nicaragua, personally examined the entire
cuHdi region lrOIl Oc0dH 10 ocean, anu eill-
plOyed seventy engineers, with their labor
ers and helpers, for ten months in making
careful surveys and examinations of the ca
nal. region. Some meteorological and hydro
logical observers are still continued in Mica
ragua, with view to obtaining full year
of observations of that nature.
The required field work has been obtained.
The reduction of this field work, together
with the compihtion and comparison of
former surveys, going back nearly fifty
years, has been in progress for more than
ten months.
The commission believes that the con-
struction of the canal across Nicaragua is
entirely feasible.
The estimates of the two best-known char
acteristic routes have been nearly com
pleted. These routes are known as the
Maritime Canal company's route and the
Lull route. The estimated cost is approx
mately $l24, 100000 and $l25,OO0,O0O, respect
lively.
The assumed dimensions are considerably
greater than ever before proposed, both in
length of Locks and in width, depth and
radius of curvature of canal.
These increased dimensions have been
made necessary by the demands of modern
commerce, size and draft of modern ships,
etc. This has necessarily made CORE
spending increase in the estimated cost,
anu Is Ill no way Inconsistent WIN tne
estimates made from former surveys, which
contemplated much smaller and cheaper
canal
A canal of smaller dimensions, just suffi-
cient for present needs, is being estimated
for. Such a canal would cost considerably
less than the estimate for a canal suitable
fer modern necessities, which is referred to
above.
1T is the opinion of this commission that
Of the two routes herewith estimated for
the one called the Lull route is the more
desirable, because it is easier Of construc-
ton, presents no problems not we'll within
good engineering precedents, and would be
a safer and more reliable canal when CON-
pleted. 1t also believes that the dimensions
and form of construction preferred by the
form, and the smaller dimensions would