Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-08
The Nicaragua Canal Again.


1t is reported from Washington that
the Walker Nicaragua Canal Commits
will recommend the route practically
laid out by the Maritime Canal Com
pany. and will also recommend the
building of one high dam instead of
three or four low ones, though Ad-
miral Walker is against the construc-
ton of the dam. preferring to follow
the river course to a point farther
eastward. The question of the dam
may decide the fate of the entire I'M
dertaking. The report will not declare
for the cheapest possible canal, holding
that it is better to save distance and
cost of the enterprise is sl25.OO0.O00,
and about seven years would be re-
uuired to complete the work. The
commission spent several months look
ing over the Panama route. and gives
out the opinion that an unfailing water
supply cannot be obtained for the up
per level of that canal. This evidence,
however, is already offset by that Of
Mr. Hunter, engineer Of the Man
chester canal, who shows that an
ample supply Of water can be obtained,
even should there be no rain for q
year.
No one has contended that either Of
the proposed canals was beyond the
power of engineering skill: but no bet
ter engineering skill has been employed
anywhere than that engaged in cal
culating the difficulties and the pos
sibilities of the Panama enterprise, and
its partisans claim it would De more
feasible scheme than the other route.
The black eye that it received under
De Lesseps and his crowd can be left
out of the present accounting. That
was the history Of a great scandal, and
naturally of a very small practica!
achievements But the present COM
pany is 4 new one. representing IRE
sponsible mon and responsible inter-
asts. The whole situation has been
carefully reinvestigated along both
engineering and financial lines: in the
former respect by the international
board Of engineers and some Of our
own representatives on the board have
made reports upon their findings that
raise grave doubts about the wisdom
Of such a colossal undertaking as the
Nicaragua canal would be. when there
is another available. much reader to
hand. and one which is likely to be
more popular when completed. The
Nicaragua route would reduce the open
sea sailing considerably, but the canal
itself would be three times as long as
the other. ana that is very formid-
able factor.
The latest and one Of the most read
able contributions to this discussion is
furnished by Speaker Reed in the May
view. He does not treat the question
from the view point Of an engineer, or
from that Of any special interest, but
with judicial and statesmanlike
breadth. His paper avoids technical
tiles and is rather a skilful summing
up of the points of progress that have
been made with respect to each of the
rival enterprises. He shows, however,
that there is still great lack of def
nate information upon engineering
problems and the cost Of construction,
and that the Panama route should be
very carefully considered before a de-
cision that will be able to justify Itself
against all criticism can be reached.
Upon the general proposition. how
ever. he expresses himself with an
optimism that is rather infectious,
when he says: There ought not to be
any intolerance in regard to opinions
on this great and important enterprise.
1t is too difficult a problem to be mas
| tered by enthusiasm alone. Sound
| sense and discretion must also be
called into action. The final result no
one can doubt The commerce of the
world in due time will eliminate Cape
Horn to as complete a degree as it has
eliminated the Cape Of Good Hope.
The uneasy dream Of 400 years will
soon be a waking reality, and across
the rocl5bound ridge, which for all
these years has defied the ingenuity
freighted with the rich cargoes and the
civilization of commerce and peace"
III. N,,oto D,,,-;.,. ,--,... .;.,