Evening star., 1898-12-29
Preliminary Report CT the Commis-
sion Submitted.
THREE ROUTES ESTIMATED FOR
The Plan Believed to Be EntireI,
Feasible.
L 5 L / NJ A L ES FER

The Secretary OF State has received a
preliminary report from the Nicaragua
canal commission, giving a summary OF
the longer report that will be made later
This report shows an extremely favorable
View OF the canal a feasible project on
the part of the members OF the commits
sion. The figures given in the report as
representing the cost of building the canal
are the maximum prices. While Colonel
Hams adds ~ per cent to the estimates
of Admiral Walker and Prof. Haupt. he
does not disagree with them on the engi-
neering features of the canal, but merely
adds 20 per cent TO cover any fluctuation In
the price of labor that may occur.
This report win be presented to the Sem
ate Immediately IT assemblies, and friends
of the canal consider that it will settle all
question of dispute in regard to the feasl-
bility and cost OF the canal.
The Text of the Report.
The report, which is dated December &c.
follows:
We have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter Uf the 18th instant,
inc.osing a copy Of resolution of the SEN
ate of the 18th of December, requesting a
report OF the progress made by this COM
mission in inVestig atlng the question CT The
proper route, the feasibility and cost OF
construction of the Nicaragua canal.
This commission has understood the law,
by which ii was constituted, approved June
l. 1891, to require that all routes hereto-
fore proposed, having any merit, are 10 be-
considered, new routes that appear 10 have
merit are to he developed, and the entire
region of canal possibilities to be examined
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 ex-
haustive report
With this in view the commission visited
Nicaragua, personally examined the entire
canal region from ocean to ocean and EN-
ployed some seventy engineers with their
iaborers and helpers for ten months IN
making careful surveys and examinations
of the canal region. Some meteorological
and Psychological observers are still contin-
ued in Nicaragua with view to obtain a
full year of observations of that nature
The required field work has been obtained.
The reduction of this field work, together
with the compilation and comparison OF
former surveys going back nearly hity
years has been in progress for more than
two months.
Construction Entirely Feasible.
The commission believes that the con-
struction of a canal across Nicaragua is en-
tirely feasible
The estimates for two of the best known
characteristic routes have been nearly COM
pleted These routes are known the
Maritime Canal Company route ana inc
Lun route. Their estimated cost is approx
imately S124,Oo0,Uo0 and $l23,ooooUo, re-
spectively. The assumed dimensions are
considerably greater than ever before pro-
posed. 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 COM
merce, size and draft of modern ships, etc.
This has necessarily made corresponding
increase in the estimated cost, and is in no
way inconsistent with the estimates made
from former surveys, which contemplated
a much smaller and cheaper canal
A canal of smaller dimensions, just suffl-
cient for present needs is being estimated
for. Such canal would cost considerably
less than the estimate for a canal suitable
for modern necessities, which is referred to
above.
The Most Desirable Route.
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 il is easier of construc-
ton, presents no problems not well within
good engineering precedcnts and Will be a
safer and more reliable canal when conn
pleted. 1t also believes that the dimensions
and form of construction preferred by the
commission are better than the cheaper
form with smaller dimensions, which would
undoubtedly cali for expensive improve
ments within q short time after its COM
pletion.
init of variants, which may reduce tho
cost. These are now being consid ared by
the commission.
The work necessary for an exhaustive
discussion of and report upon the eniira
canal problem is being pushed as rapidly
as its g eat magnitude permits, and whsn
completed, the report will be submitted
without delay.
We are sir, with great respect, your
obedient servants, j, L. WALKER,
Rear Admiral, u. 5. N
Presden mt of Commission.
LEWIS NJ. HACPT
Civil Engineer, Member
/ concur with the other members OF the
commission in respect to the progress of
the work and the feasibility of the canal,
but 1 think, in view of the increased sizs
of the canal estimated for and the difficult
ties incident to work in tropical countries,
that the estimate is lower than il should be
by about - per cant.
PETER c. HAMS.
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, Member.
GEN. GREENE'S RESIGNATION.