The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-10
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scientist spent Ave years, from 1893 to 1904
IN the exploration OF tho territory from
Peru to Mexico. In the early months OF
the Journey he established the existence
OF water communication between the ORR
noco and the Amazon, and this, probabl,
more than anything else, led him, when hi
reached the isthmus, to study the posi-.
| biiities OF an interoceanic passageway. Al
any rate, upon his return to Europe. he
gave to the world his views on the sub
1ect. He proposed five schemes for unit
ing the two oceans, and pointed out par
tlcuiarly the great advantage possessed
by tho Nicaraguan route. with its abund-
ant water supply. He wrote:
such Is the happy position OF these
hVe points that they are placed at the
center of the new continent, at an equal
distance from Cape Horn and the north
west coast Opposed to each lin
the same paralle) are the seas of China
and India, an important circumstance in
latitudes where the trade winds prevail;
all are easily entered by vessels coming
from Europe and the United States" He
concludes by saying that such an under
| taking Is calculated to immortalize gov
eminent occupied with the true interests
| OF humanity.
1t remained, however, for Goethe to
brilliantly finish tho prophecy OF Hum
boldt In the Conversations of Goethe
with Eclerman and Soret." is the follow
ing: February u, 1897 Dined with
Goethe. He spoke much and with admi-
ration OF Alexander Won Humboldt, who B.
work on Cuba and Colombia he had begun
to read and whose views as to the project
for making passage through the Isthmus
or Panama appeared to have particular
interest for him. Humboldt said Goethe,
has, with great knowledge of the sub
lect, given other points where, by making
use OF some streams which flow into the
Gulf OF Mexico, the end may be perhaps
better attained than Mt Panama All this
Is reserved for the future and for an en-
terprising spirit. So much, however, Is
certain, that II they succeed In cutting
such canal that ships OF any burden
and size can be navigated through II from
the Mexican gulf TO the Pacific ocean, in
Vulnerable benefits would result to the
whole human race civilized and uncivil-
lied. But should wonder If the United
states were to let an opportunity escape
| OF getting such a work into their own
hands, II may be foreseen that this young
State. with its decided prediction to the
West, will. In thirty or forty years. have
occupied and peopled the large tract OF
land beyond the Rocky mountains, 1t
may, furthermore, be seen that along the
whole coast OF the Pacific ocean. where
, nature has already formed tho most capa-
cious and secure harbors, important com
mercial towns viii gradually arise for the
furtherance of great intercourse between
China and the East indies and the United
States. In such a case II would not only
be desirable, but almost necessary, That a
more rapid communication should he main
tanned between the Eastern and Western
shores of North America both by mer-
chant ships and men OF war. than has
hitherto heen possible with the tedious
disagreeable and expensive voyage around
Cape Horn. | therefore repeat that II is
absolutely Indispensable for the United
states to effect passage from the Mexl-
can gulf TO the Pacific ocean, and am
certain that they will do IT.
Goethe, in this instance. at any rate.
was as good prophet as he was poet,
1t has taken some time to get such a
gigantic matter under way hut. as stated
In the beginning, the planets seem to be
favorably ensconced in their proper houses
In the commercial zodiac for the compile
ton of the canal with the government Of
the United States az sponsor for the plan.
In 1873 the canal question was discussed
at the congress of Panama and General
VerWeer, tho representative OF Belgium.
was so imp essed with the idea OF 3
Nicareguan canal that. on his return to
his own country. no attempted TO establish
a company to cut II. Following this,
year later, the United States took its first
official notice OF the matter and Mr.. Clay,
then secretary of state, ordered an exam
inatiop OF the route. Between that date
and 1880 several schemes were proposed
in this country but for one reason and