Mesa free press., 1898-12-30
THE TWO CANAL SCHEMES.

THE TWO CANAL SCHEMES.
In discussing the two canal schemes
subject just now commanding the
attention of the business world, the
Boston Commercial Bulletin SAYS:
THE question that promises short
ly to absorb American interest is that
dealing with the construction of an
interoceanic canal. Whether or not
we owe the stimulus to such broad
and radical action as the project de-
mands to the awakening effects of the
recent war Is not Of material impor-
tance, although, certain incidents in
connection with the existence of hos
tilities have given forceful proofs of
the necessity for facile and expedi-
tious means of entry into the Pacific
from the Atlantic ocean.
ives have offered us two routes for
exploiting an interoceanic waterway.
and partisans OF both are Jealous to
enlist popular favor in their respect
i've merits. Prior to the report of the
com mission detailed by the United
States government to investigate the
proposed course through Nicaragua
we nave, however, few facts upon
which to base Judgment of the COM
parative advantages Of the two, and
in the absence Of confirming data con-
corning the Nicaragua route the pres
ent promoters of the Panama canal
are strenuously endeavoring to thrust
their scheme upon our attention.
With no knowledge to the contra
ry, it had become common belief in
this country that work upon the PAN
anna route had been allowed to re-
main where the foundering of the De
Lesseps scheme had ignominiously
left it. But as soon as the American
government began definite action to
exploit way through Nicaragua.
there was announced quite suddenly
that French capitalists had taken up
the work on Panama, had already ex-
pended millions of dollars in further
ing the construction, and had made
progress to the extent of from two
fifths to one-half of the entire route.
1T is palpable that one canal will be
put through, and equally obvious that
this route will be completed by Amer
lean capital and under American di-
rection alone.
''The difficulties which confronted
the engineers in the Panama cut when
work was abandoned some years ago.
have not yet been forgotten, and even
if, as the Panama enthusiasts assert,
these natural obstacles have been sur
mounted, the cost of the implements,
property rights and remuneration for
labor expended, together with the con-
servatively estimated cost of COM
| lYNIn a oh t1a efnto ~
high, provided, of course, the alterna-
tive route proves at all feasible.
"The cost of the Panama Canal, as
work stands today, is about $125, ,OOO,-
900. 1t is affirmed that the route can
be completed in the course of ten
years or so at an additional expendi-
ture of $100,0O0,0OO. The length of the
Panama route is forty-six miles, and
the chief difficulties to contend with
are the rock formations, through
which almost the entire proposed way
lies, the devastating overfows of the
Chagres river and the slides of the
Culebra cut.
"The Clayton-Bulwer treaty had
nominally deferred Americans from
entering upon such a serious under
taking as the construction of the Mic
aragua canal, and had even served in
a measure to prevent in a thorough
Investigation of the route contem-
plated. The present cordial relations
Of the parties to this treaty removes
much of the Influence which it earlier
exerted, and it is, moreover a matter
of practical assurance that the treaty
will be abrogated provided that the
entrance upon the work shall demand
the cessation of its enforcement.
"The Nicaragua commission has
been supplied with 100000 and al
lowed considerable time so as to in
sure an absolutely thorough investi-
cation and comprehensive report.
1t can, therefore, be expected that the
commission in its report will give
some definite decision concerning the
practicability of the Nicaragua canal,
and if it's conclusions verify the asser-
tions of the unofficial advocates of
this route, purchase by the United
States of the Panama scheme will be
distinctly undesirable
The Boston paper seems to have
oyerestimated the force of the cordial
relations between the two countries"
parties to the ClaytOn-Bulwer treaty.
When it comes to question of busi-
ness. Cousin John Bull seldom wastes
cordial feelings outside the sphere of
No. l.
On board the Gaelic, which arrived
at San Francisco from the Orient last
week, was Rev. H. w. White, a mis-
sionary. He brings news of a terri
bic condition of affairs existing in the
Chin Chu Flu provinces, a section
$50 miles long and 70 miles wide, in
habited by over 4,50O,0O0 people, most
ly farmers. Owing to two successive
droughts, the crops have been failures
and the people of the province men
toned are dying by the thousands from
starvation, and the government is do