Evening journal., 1898-08-05
FRIDAY. AUGUST 5. 1898
NROM OCEAN TO OCEAN.

government of the United States viii
construct the great waterway In pref
erence to letting the contract to pri-
vate companies or corporations. Nlr.
Cooley says that onhis important point
the complexion OF the Nicaraguan ca
nal matter had changed perceptlb,y
since last Winter, when he, with
party OF engineers, looked over the
ground OF the future enterprise.
On being shown a dispatch from
Washington, stating that admiral
Walker, of the Canal Commission, had
received a number Of reports lndicat-
ing that the cost OF the work win be
much less than hitherto estimated, MIR.
Cooley gave a list of the recent dis
coveries which he believes are respon-
sible for Admiral Walkers opinion.
They are:
Six miles of dredging in the lower
end Of Lake Nicaragua.
Non-existence OF rock in San Juan
river to Toro Rapids.
Good foundation for immense dam at
Ocha.
Favorable conditions for embank-
ments at San Francisco basin.
New site for a dam at Tansor
Grande.
According to the estimate OF the
foNmuiator, a saving Of several mill
lion dollars is represented in these
times.
The expenses incurred by the govern
ment in war and the rapidly develop
ing indications that THE Nicaragua canal
cannot only he constructed more
cheaply than at first imagined, but
ought to be built by the United States
are conspiring, he intimates, to assure
the waterway connection between the
Atlantic and Pacific within a few years.
President Mckinley" said Mr.
Cooley, land many of the leading menu
bars OF Congress now appreciate more
than ever The supreme Importance of
this canal to our country. Senator
Morgan said to me not long ago that
the annexation or Hawaii practically
clears up the question of immediate
necessity for the Nicaragua canal. 1t
ds a question:, however, whether or not
Congress will be able to pass the
proper law OF take THE proper action
at the short session beginning in the
FalA to enable the work to begin at an
early date.
'The construction OF the waterway
will not be a tremendous undertaking
though II may take seven years to do
At. The Maritime Canal Company asks
for $11 100000 from the government &c
liquidate all it's rights and concessions
The company, it is understood, viii
take 100000 in the stock OF a new
company that the government migh'
form and s4500,OO0 from the govern
ment to validate it's bonds. The com
pany bought out all the concessions o
the old Nicaragua association, which 4
said to have expended something ilc
$4,000, 900. The Maritime Canal Com
pany was then organized, and IT ha
spent $4,000 600 in Nicaragua on the ca
nal undertaking. but had TO quit tn
work. The company is perfectly righ
when it says that no private corpora
ton could be expected to take up th
canal project now, since Congress ha
put it's hand in the matter and whe
there is a strong likelihood OF the gov
fftaalF
"These are some of the hindrances
the way of an early opening OF tn
narrow strip OF land between the tw
great oceans. Again, it is not definite
~ known that the commission will I
ready with it's report during the sho
session OF Congress. The report ma
be submitted and may cause a va
difference of views as to what cour.
should be pursued Senator Norge
and all other canal advocates apprec
ate these things, but THE mantle
broadening OF the scope Of our nation
policy of late has impressed everyoi
so strongly that none can see any o
stacle large enough to prevent the co
sruction OF what will be an invaluah
hOldang and possession to the Unit
Skates in time OF peace and in time
war"
If the canal is built the work shou
be done by the government and its co
trol retained by the governing
against all comcrs. While it's CHI
use would be to the merchant maril
there are other uses to which it COZ
be put to great advantage in time
war. Had we had such a canal
Oregon would not have been compel
No make her phenomEHal run fr'
Sam Francisco around Cape Horne. a
the great difficulty of defending be
the Atlantic and Pacific coasts agar
attack would be obvfated by this she
cut from one ocean TO the other.
That Every Evsning reporter v
cOnid MOT tell fhQ difference bplvV,