The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-25
Canals Discussed by the Com
mercial Congress.
BLESSING TO CONSUMERS
Opponents OF the Panama and the Mic.
aragua Canals Urge the Strong
Points of Their Respective
Projects.


of canals and several papers were read
on the subject of the isthmian water
ways.
Mr.. Monaghan, in opening the session,
said Germany has now a vast system of
canals, and that her example had been
emulated by Russia. If the Nicaragua
canal is built, he said, there can be no
question that there will be a saving to
the world equal to four hundred million
dollars year
Mr.. Calvo, the Costa Rican minister,
spoke of the position of that country
and her direct interest in the uniting Of
the two great oceans by means OF a
canal. The position of Costa Rica be-
tween Nicaragua and Panama, he said,
insures to its people all the benefits of
proximity as the nearest neighbor,
whichever way the route may be buil-.
He then sketched the history of the ca
nal project from its inception to its
present status.
Costa Rica," he asserted, realizes
the great importance of this work, the
most transcendental perhaps under
taken in this age, and contributes 20
encourage it, consulting her own inter-
est and the impulse to be derived from
it by the general progress of the world.
and especially of the nations of this con-
tinent."
H. A. Gudger, United States consul
at Panama, spoke in favor of the
route contemplated by that canal and
said that for more than half a CEN
tury it has been the conceded natural
way. resulting in failure after the ex-
penditure of many millions and the
many scandals with 1t.
In conclusion he said:
f,,l " fa fn11
I believe the time is ripe for the pur-
chase by the United States of the con-
troll of this canal. The terms of the
concessions by which we may obtain
it are liberal and it is my opinion that
the republic of Colombia would hail
with pleasure the ownership of this
route by the United States"
II. E. Stell of London read paper
on 1.-THE New Trade Routes of the
World" He favored the construction
of the Panama canal. j. w. Hum
phries of Colon also spoke in its favor.
A paper prepared by Enrique Wulff,
consul general to Bolivia. made sim
liar recommendation.
At the afternoon session the Mic
aragua canal was the subject of pa
per read by Juan Drullo. consul gen
eral of Costa Rica at New York and
former vice president of Costa Rica.
Drullo said in part:
"It seems unnatural, not to say ridic-
ulous, that such trifle as cutting
through a few yards of land should
compel the giant of commerce to go
dug by the government of the United
States in preference to private enter
prise, because it will better serve
commerce and the general public thus.
One hundred and twenty-five million
dollars taken by yearly installments
will not make Uncle Sam feel much
poorer and will undoubtedly be his
most profitable investment because ae
will succeed in cutting down greatly
the transportation and freight rates
and will open to his countrymen the
best markets for Central and South
America and the East. The practical
bility Of the Nicaragua canal is be-
yond question"
Mr.. Rotterdam. a delegate from Mel
bourne, said anything which would
hasten the transit of goods from one
country to the other would confer a
blessing upon both the producers and
the consumers. Uncle Sam is getting
along little late as land grabber
compared with the activity of his pro-
genitor. The merchant princes and
manufacturers of America should COM
pei the politicians to do their duty.
In the unavoidable absence of Min
lister Merry of Costa Rica, his paper on
the Nicaraguan canal was read by
Francis T. Tobin of this city.
Mr.. Merry in summing up his paper
says:
TT is suggested that this short and
imperfect paper satisfactorily demon
strates the following points:
''One--That the sanitary conditions
are more favorable at Nicaragua than
at Panama.
"Two-That the Nicaraguan canal
will. on the whole, save greater dis
| tances.
"Three--That the Nicaragua route is
available for sailing vessels, while that
| of Panama is practically available only
for steamships.
"Fourth-That the facilities for con-
struction are the most favorable at Mic
aragua.
"F'ive-That it has materials for con-
struction and food supply which are
lacking at the Panama isthmus.
"Sixth-That the supply Of lockage
water Is superintendent at Nicaragua
and doubtful at Panama.
'tSeven-The cost Of operation will
not materially differ.
"Eight-The Nicaragua canal will
have a local earning capacity which
! cannot be developed at Panama.
'Nine-The liability to seismic dis
turbances are apparently equal.
'Ten-That the strategical position
to the United States is decidedly SUI
perior to the Panama route"
The paper of Climaco Calderon, min
lister to Colombia, was read in Span
ish. It was a strong argument in fav-
of of the Panama canal.
Colonel G. r. Pearcy, formerly Unit
ed States consul at Colon, spoke briefly
but forcefully in favor of the Panama
project.
The chair then proposed number of
questions for discussion by the congress
as TO the relative merits of the two
routes, suggesting first that the north
ern, or Nicaragua route would be
shorter to the east; that it should also
be more important to North America
than the Panama route. as the Panama
route was especially favored because
of interests to South America.
Adjourned until tomorrow.
Trial Begun.
New York. Oct. 24.-The trial of an ac-
II c