The times., 1898-12-30
THE CANAL COMMISSION.
Preliminary Report Filed Yester-
day With Secretary Hay.


The preliminary report of the Nicaragua
Canal Commission was given TO Secretary
Hay yesterday. The report will be given
to the Senate on Wednesday next. The
following is the report as submitted yes
,erday. it bearing date of December 26:
We have the honor TO acknowledge the receipt
Of your letter Of the 10Th instant. inelosing
copy OF resolution OF the Senate of the 18th OF
December, requesting a report OF the progress
made by this commission IN investigating the
question Of the proper route, the feasibility and
cost Of construction of the Nicaragua Canal.
The commission has understood the law, by
which il constituted, approved June 1, 1897,
TO require that all routes heretofore proposed.
having any merit, are TO be considered, new routes
that appear 10 have merit are to be developed,
and the entire region OF canal possibilities be
examined with sufficient thoroughness to enable
just and comprehensive comparison of the
various routes TO be made and the most desirable
one selected. In short, TO enable this commission
to make complete and exhaustive report
With this in view the commission visited
Nicaragua, personally examined the entire canal
region from ocean TO ocean and employed some
seventy engineers with their laboTers and helpers
for ten months in making careful surveys and eS-
Rniinations OF the canal region. Some meteoro-
logical and Neurological observers are still contn
ued in Nicaragua with i view 10 obtain 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 fifty years, has been in progress
for more than two months.
The commission believes that the construction
of canal across Nicaragua is entirely feasible.
The estimates for two of the best known char
scteristic routes have been nearly completed
These routes known the Maritime Canal
COmpanys route and the Lul route. Their esti-
mated cost is approximately sl24 900 600 and sl23
100000. respectively. The assumed dimensions are
considerably greater than ever before proposed
both in length of locks and in width. depth and
radius of curvature of canal. These increased di-
nenslOns have been made necessary by the de-
mands of modern commerce, size and draft Of
modern ships, etc This has necessarily made a
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.
canal OF smaller dimensions, just sufficient
for present needs is being estimated for. Such
canal would cost considerably less than the esti-
mate for canal suitable for modern necessities,
which is referred 10 above.
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 it is
easier OF construction. presents problems not
well within good engineering precedents and will
be safer and more ie liable canal when comp eted.
IL also believes that the dimensions and form of
construction preferred by the commission are
better than the cheaper form with smaller dimen-
sions, which would undoubtedly call for expen-
sive improvements within a short time after its
completion.
Both of the routes referred to above admit of
variants, which may reduce the cost. These are
now being considered by the commission.
The work necessary for an exhaustive discussion
of and report upon the entire canal problem is
being pushed as rapidly rs its great magnitude
permits, and when completed, the report will be
submitted without delay
We are, sir, with great respect, your obedient
servants, J. L. WALKER,
Rear Admiral, L. 5. n.
President OF Commission
LEWIS NJ HAUPT,
Civil Engineer, Member.
concur with the other members of the COM
mission in respect 10 the progress of the work
and the feasibility of the canal but | think, in
view Of the increased size of the canal estimated
for and the difficulties incident work in tropical
countries, that the estimate is lower than il
should be by about 20 per cent.
PETER c. HAMS.
Colonel, Corps of Engineers, Member.