The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-24
NICARAGUA ROUTE FAVORED.
IstI,tnian Canal COn,nission's Report
Ready for the President.

Estlssaian Canal Commissions Report
Ready for the President.
President Mckinley will have the pre-
liminary report of the Isthmian Canal
Commission in his hands within two or
three days. It is now, Umpiete and its va
rious parts are being assembled. 1t Is in
favor Of caraI across Nicaragua as
against all other routes proposed. 1t ia
vors the construction of a canal thirty
feet in depth at cost of about S120, O0O,-
coo. It discourages the building of a thir-
ty-fve foot canal at present, although es-
Inmates for a canal of such depth have
oeen made. \ thirty-five foot canal would
cost about $175. 600. GOO The report rec
ommends. however, that the locks and
dams OF the thirty-foot canal be SO con-
structed as to permit the canal TO be
deepened five feet when commerce re-
quires it It practically eliminates from
consideration the Panama route, which
route has been the only real competitor Of
the Nicaragua waterway. This is owing
to the apparent inability of Director Cen
eral hutin to make a proposition of sale
TO the United States.
The present Canal Commission was ap-
pointed 10 examine ali possible canal
early stage of the Investigation il was as
certained that only two routes were prac-
acknowledgements and Panama-the next
best being the Darien Canal, which
crossed a divide soc feet above sea level
requiring tunnel zoo feet in height
1t IS found that there are no engineer
ing or physical in posi- Utilities on either
the Nicaragua or the Panama routes The
matter Of cost is largely in favor OF Nj
ba
ton OF the Panama Canal as il stands is
about Sl50, 100000. This does not take in
TO account such money as would have 20
be PAID Tor improvements already made on
the Panama Isthmus- Serious consiGera-
ton CT the Panama project has been i'm
possible, owing TO a refusal of its owa-
eTs 10 set price ct which it could be
bought. ss.
American engineers have reached the
conclusion that the Panama men have no
intention OF selling to the American Gov
eminent, the opposition to the Nicaragua
canal being based on a desire 10 nullify
that project so that they Can fioat another
French loan TO compete the work them
serves. The route adopted across Nicara-
qua by the present Commission faliCg.s
closely that recommended by the Walker
Commission two years ago. The total dis
lance from the Pacific TO the Atlantic is
100 miles Commencing al BritO. On the
Pacific Coast, and following up the east
side OF the Rio Grande vessel would. by
the aid Of four locks reach the summit and
level OF Lake Nicaragua. II6 feet above the
Pacific Ocean distance of 17.6 miles The
canal line crosses the lake. a distance OF Il
miles 10 the head Of the San Juan River
Following this river Tor 81 miles. the site
OF the proposed dam is reached. at Boca
SaE Carlos. Here the canal leaves the river
bed, but follows the valley for u miles to a
point opposite the mouth Of the Rio Sari-
piqui- From this point nearly a straight
line IS made TO the Atlantic Ocean, at Grey
town. - miles more.
To build this canal a depth Of 50 {eet. as
recommended BY the commission il VIII be
necessary TO remove about 160. GOO 0CO CUBIC
yards OF earth and rock.
The great engineering feature of the en-
terprise is the proposed dam at San Carlos.
which VIII be l5s feet high from its rock
bed &c the crest, and the crest Will be
nearly 1.590 feet in length The building
OF The dam al this point avoids 4 question
which arose under previous surveys from
the possible food waters Of the River San
| Carlos. which, IN the proposed plan enters
/ the San Juan below instead OF above the
dam.
It is found that IT viii take less than
ten years to build the canal and some OF
the engineers estimate that during its con-
sTUction at least $4,000 men will be given
employment IN the United States and on
the isthmus.