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

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 go from the Pacific to the
Atlantic, Is one CT the most remarkable
on record. yet 1t 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, tho distance from
San Francisco to Barbados Is 1860
miles. Deducting the eleven days spent
in coaIing. the Oregon's speed was more
than 217 knots 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 OF news. but We know that she
arrived at Rio Janeiro. a distance of
1900 nautical miles. in nine days, so
that she must have travelled at the rate
of 1893. knots day.
With the Nicaragua canal In exist
cnce. the North Atlantic squadron could
be put into the Pacific within a week.
We. do not overlook the possibility OF
the canal being damaged by an enemy
so 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 enemys feet
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 on the western
side OF the Pacific. and although we
are friendly with that country. the time
would clash. We are seeking to extend
our commerce in China. and although
that country is helpless now. her people
are stubborn and antagonisiic to for
eigners. and We might be called upon to
make a display OF force on her coast.
Commodore Crowninshieid. chief of
the bureau of navigation. and lately a
member If the naval board OF strategy,
has recently issued q recommendation
for the construction OF the Nicaragua
canal which has been submitted to the
senate. He says that until there Is
way. easy OF access. from each OF these
oceans to the other, should certain con-
tlugeneies arise. as a nation we are
helpless" He has been criticised for
this exaggeration Of our condition. bat
In view Of the serious delay necessary
in sending relief 10 Dewey. his language
seems almost justified.
Dewey's achievement Is almost un-
raraIleiei. and We can never hope 10
escape So completely frcan damage in an
encounter with another fleet. Even had
We been victorious. but had lost one or
two q cur battleships, cur position in
the Philippines would be very rrecayI-
o'ls. The canal would not help US much,
It i true. In sending land forces. hut II
would he 81 vast advantage II. instead
II sending aid around Cape Horn or
even through she Suez canal. We could
dispatch wsrships To hts assistance
| through the Nicaragua canal
II We are - retain the Philippines, as
| now seams Nkely, we must have Hawai-,
as resting place snd cOaling station,
| ard we must hut}i the canal