The San Francisco call., 1899-12-05
AUCTION SALES.
THE ISTHMlRN CANAL.

= CONCURRENTLY with the re-examinaton OF
| the Nicaragua canal and with the attempt OF
- Mr. Hepburn to pass a bill appropriating SII5,-
100000 Tor lis construction comes the report OF
French commission on the Panama canal and its
route.
This French report raises question entirely
which may be well worth examination. The French
commission has studied the track OF the earth
quaSes which visit the isthmus and oommends the
Panama route as being away from the line OF fracture
along which runs that profound disturbance which
destroyed the cities OF Leon and Granada The
port states that the Nicaragua lies that rac
ture. Il is easily that canal within the line oi
great earthquake disturbance peril OF destruction
OF such parts OF It as render investment in its
structon very risky. OF course there may be moth
ing in this French contention, but this should be
demonstrated before the very imposing necessary
Is invested in the work. Perhaps this French report
is intended to lead to a proposition that purchase
the Panama canal
The report says that TO complete that canal will
qure expenditure OF SI2,oooooo francs, or SIo2,
10000 This IS surprise 10 those unfamiliar with
the whole plans and with the extent to which the
work has been pushed. Three thousand men are now
engaged il. and If increased TO a force OF twelve
thousand the work can be completed in ten years.
II all these estimates and statements are correct It
would appear likely that the construction will be
well toward completion before we get started on the
Nicaragua project at the rate going now
Admiral Walkers commission has informed our
Government that It cannot report until December
1900. 50 that no beginning can possibly be nearer
than two years from this time which exhausts one
fifth Of the time estimated for completing the Panama
ditch.
II is understood that Mr. Hepburn admits that
there is no prospect OF his bill passing at this session.
SO il is probable that there will be any action
in advance Of the report OF the Walker commission
It is within probability that before that report is
made we will hear OF propositions to purchase and
finish the French work. In this view it is well that
those interested begin investigate that work and to
estimate lis probable value.
II viii be well also that the Walker or another
commission be charged with examination OF the la
bility 10 destructive earthquakes on the Nicaraguan
route and the alleged immunity thereirom on the
Panama line II is possible that information so Sc
cured would very powerfully influence the views Of
people IN the matter.
While there may be many causes OF EARTHQUAKES
including electricity they are no longer quite the
mystery they 1t seems 10 be settled that when
upraise in the earhs is in progress fracture
therein slip one side When the upraise
goes a long time before the slip the side that
falls has farther to fall reach equilibrium and the
destruction OF course IS greater. Our Californian
earthquakes very destructive because OF their
frequency. There being many slips the mass does
not decline very FAR.
in the Eastern States the New Madrid and Charles
ton earthquakes TO demonstrate a long con.
tnued uprase and an inirequent slip with very an
pallng consequences.
At least the earthquake conditions OF the istbmus
should be ignored but should enter into the acs
upon which the final decision OF Congress nust roc,
The South African press censor has been guilty OF
another slip Of the pen A week ago he had General