The San Francisco call., 1898-02-13
THROUGH
 SURVEYS
 ARE MADE Important Work of Nicaragua Canal
 Commission. Much Ground Has Been Covered by Parties in
 the Field. Very Interesting Soundings Being Made on the Lake
 to Be Crossed. MAY SHORTEN THE ROUTE From Present Indications Favorable Results Are to Be Expected of
 the Expedition.
Very Interesting Soundings Being Made on the Lake
 to Be Crossed.
MAY SHORTEN THE ROUTE
From Present Indications Favorable Results Are to Be Expected of
 the Expedition.
Special Dispatch to The Call

NEW YORK, Feb. 12.-Correspond- ence of the Herald under date of Man agua, Nicaragua, January Is, says: The canal commission, having met President Zelaya and his Cabinet, Is settling down to it's work on the line of the canal between the lake and the Pa cific. The main problem of this portion Of the canal project is the La Flor dam. The commission expects to pass two weeks in the study of this western division.
 About five days were occupied by the commission in it's trip up the river, making observations of features of the stream and an examination of the work which is being done along the line of the canal as it affects the river.
 The commission will make another examination of the river portion of the canal routeon its return from the west ern side, when it will make a careful study of possible dam sites in the Vi- cinity of Ochoa and San Francisco and Deseado valleys. The work of the parties of MT. hayes, MT. Davis, MT. Ehle MT. Onderdonk and others will then be in an advanced stage, and many valuable data will have been obtained by that time. This will greatly assist the commission In arriv- ing at definite conclusions. The line of the canal as at present, from Greytown to Ochoa, including the dam, Is where the commission expects its hardest work.
 The commission will spend several days on foot going over the line from Ochoa into Greytown, and it is cer- tain that its findings will cover every possible feature and phase of the di- vision.
 The party in coming up the river from Ochoa had an excellent opportun- ity to study the San Juan and the top ography of it's valley. The canal line, as at present, does not contemplate any use of the river below Ochoa. Between Ochoa and Fort San Carlos are San Carlos River and Machuca Belas, Cas- tillo and Zorro Rapids.
 On reaching Fort San Carlos, the commission found the work under the direction of Lieutenant Hanus well advanced. Lieutenant Hanus and his party reached here on December 31. He will make a complete survey of the coast line of the lake on both sides for miles above and below the two canal entrances, and will also make complete soundings covering areas of the lake twenty miles square on both sides.
 In addition he will make soundings along the proposed line across the lake. This has been done only once, many years ago, and as the work was done in a small launch and under unfavor- able circumstances, the results have never been regarded as final.
 Lieutenant Hanus is of the opinion that these soundings across the lake may result in locating some sunken volcanic peaks. Lieutenant Hanus from observations thus far made about and among the islands, believes it may be possible to carry the canal route through some one of these channels, instead of to the north, as the plan of the canal company has it. Should complete survey and soundings develop the feasibility of this and should such development be adopted several miles would be saved in the journey across the lake.
 If Lieutenant Hanus secures time and facilities he will make a complete survey and chart of the lake, some thing that has never been done, As if Is his chart will show all that is ma terial to the canal route and on a big scale. Work on the lake, in common with the work of all other divisions will be done with thoroughness that has not been attained before, because of the fact that there are more men than ever before on the canal line and that these men will spend more time on their work than was possible for the men of any previous expedition.