The times., 1899-06-01
TIE NICARAGUA CANAL
COMMISSIONS REPORT
A Brief Synopsis of a Volu-
minous Document.
The Project Declared Feasible at a
Cost of $ilS, ll3, 790.
A Higher Estimate Fixed by Colonel
Hains-Thc Routes Selected
and Their Advantages.

The Nicaragua Canal Commission, ap-
pointed under acts of Congress of March 2.
1895, and June 4, 1897, having completed
its labors has submitted its report to the
President, and the following synopsis was
made public yesterday:
THE Commission understood that It was
required to consider all routes heretofore
proposed having any merit; that new
routes that appeared to have merit should
be developed. and that the entire region
of canal possibilities should be examined
with sufficient thoroughness to enable
just and comprehensive comparison Of the
various routes to be made and the most
desirable one selected. With this view the
Commission established its headquarters
in New York and made a careful study
of all data bearing upon the Nicaragua
Canal question obtainable in the United
States, going back nearly fifty years. Al
the same time large force was organized
for work in Nicaragua, which sailed from
New York December 5, 1897, nearly one
hundred strong. and arrived OF GreytoWn
December IL.
Much delay in the work and great an
noyance TO working parties was caused py
attempts at revolution and by the strained
relations between the Governments oil
Nicaragua and Costa Rica which rendered
II difficult and often impossible TO torwaru
supplies, provisions, and orders to working
parties in the field and to receive reports
from them The outbreak OF the war pe-
tween the United States and Spain was
also a serious matter. IL oeprlNeu the
Commission Of two ships and the naval
narties which were working under its
direction. rendering new organization oil
narttes necessary and with much de-
nleted force Further delay was caused
by the assignment of Colonel Halns' Oh
the Commission, to duty at Chickamausa
and Porto Rico.
las portions of the work were coinpiet-
ed narfies were Withdrawn, until the last
eurvaving marty left Greytown February
IS 1899 leaving thirteen men IN the eouh-
,rv al Ten stations for the purpose oil con-
thinning the observations for rainfall anu
evanoration. and for the gauging OF the
lake and the various rivers necessary 10
q coluplete understanding OF the hydfoios!
of the region through which cahal aeloss
Nicaragua must pass Soon aiter tne Sohl-
missions arrival home its quai We.
we're removed from New York 10 Washihg-
TON where the work of examining, com
nnting. and assembling the data has been
steadily prosecuted.
LAS the reports Of the speclaiiss an
nexed to the Commissions report cover
the subjects of geology, topograny' ny
drolozy, and meteorology quite fniiy, the
Commission did nS deem 1t necessary 10
do more than call attention 10 lew dis-
tfnct features which characterize the route
on which the Commission was directed
TO report :.
.The report goes into minute details in
respect 10 ali questions connected with the
construction of the canal, and after mature
delIberation has adopted and estimated
Dit Tal- a.
qua called Childs' route, and from the
iaks to creytown, called Lull route. This
line leaving Brito, follows the left bank
of the Rio Grande 20 near Bueno Retro,
crosses the Western Divide to the Valley
of Lajas. which it follows TO Lake Nicara-
qua. Crossing the lake TO the head OF the
San Juan River il follows the upper river
to near Boca San Carlos. thence, In ex-
cavation, by the left bank of the river, to
The San Juanillo. and across the low
countries to Greytown, passing to the north
ward of Lake Silico. 1t requires but
single dam with regulating works at bott
ends of the summit level. The surveys
have in general revealed better physical
conditions than were hitherto supposed u
exist, especially as TO the amount OF rocl
in the upper river, whereby 1t is possible
TO greatly reduce the estimated cost OF
construction.
ITO determine the proper unit prices fol
excavation. the average OF prices actual.
paid 10 contractors on the Chicago Drain
age Canal, which represent cost of plant
prices paid for work done. and contractors
profits were taken. To these prices GER
tain percentages were added for the diff
ference in location, climate. etc. In obtain
ing the estimate for cost Of locks thu
prices actually paid for building the Gov
ernment locks at Sault Ste Marie were
taken. and 80 per cent was added for th'
difference of location
After giving due weight to all the ele
ments of this important question and Will
an earnest desire TO reach logical eonclu
sions, based upon substantial facts. tn
Commission believes that a canal can b
built across the Isthmus on this route TO
not exceeding lis. .11S. $50. Colonel Hahn
concurs generally with the views of othe
members Of the Commission, but his esti
mate Of the cost is sls4, ,sls,3 30s."
II is understood to be the desire Of tn
President on the reassembling of Con
gress TO lay the full report before tha
body Until then il will not be possible I
make it public more fully than the pres
ent synopsis which embraces its main fea
lures. The report proper covers 1856 type
written pages and is accompanied by eleve
appendices.