The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-05
FAVORED BY NICARAGUA.

FAVORED BY N1CARAGU A.
Along the Nicaragua route, it was
found that the short section of partially
constructed canal is, perhaps, in as good
shape today as it was when the work
was stopped. The buildings, however,
are all rotten, and the dredges, boats,
etc., are worthless. The commission
visited President Zelaya and other lead
ing officials of Nicaragua and found them
greatly interested in the project The
occupation of their territory by the
United States for canal purposes, did not
seem to be regarded as a serious OBJ
stacle, provided the sovereignty of the
republic was respected. Along the Pana-
ma route the commission found a large
force of workmen engaged upon the
canal line, about 1000 in number, accord
ing to the Panama company. The canal
had been opened to some extent at both
ends Immense quantities of machinery,
implements and tools were found along
the route. Much of this property the
commission reports, is il-adapted TO
American methods of work, and all of
it is now from thirteen to twenty years
old, so that no value should be given to
the plant now on the Isthmus. A visit
was also made to President Iglesfas, Of
Costa RIGA, and his cabinet, and a strong
sentiment found to exist for an Amer-
can canal along the Nicaragua route.
TRIPS were also made along the DarIen
route.
After going over the several routes,
the committee considered the dimensions
of the canal to be built Having in
mind the increasing size of ocean going
vessels, it was determined to fix upon a
depth of thirty-fiVe feet at mean low wa
ter, and a bottom width Of $50 feet with
some increase of dimensions at certain
points. These dimensions are larger than
those proposed for any previous canal
scheme. While they may seem excessive
today, the commission points out that
the canal is not likely to be opened
within ten years, during which time the
increase in maritime dimensions is likely
to continue. A width of $50 feet will al
low all but the very largest ships to pass
each other in the canal, while the LOCKS
are of a dimension to permit even the
largest Ships afloat to be Unanswered.
The size of the locks is 740 feet length,
81 feet width in the clear, with a depth
| of 95 feet.
The final conclusions of the commission
are stated as follows:
SUMMARY OF THE REPORT
II. Tie estimated cost of building the
Nicaraguan canal is about SIS. 100000 moe
than that of completing the Panama
canal, leaving out the cost of acquiring
the latter property. This measures the
difference in the magnitude of the OBJ
stacleS to be overcome in the actual con-
Structlon of the two canals, and covers
all physical considerations, such as the
greater or lesser height of dams, OF the
greater or less depth Of cuts, or the pres
ence or absence of natural harbofs, the
presence or absence of a railroad, the
exemption from or liability to disease
and the amount Of work remaining to be
done.
''The new Panama Canal company has
SHOWN no disposition to sell its property
to the United States. Should that com
pany be able and willing to sell, there is
| reason to believe that the price would
| to the United States less than that Of the
! Nicaragua canal
| III. The Panama canal, after conplo-
| ton, will be shorter, have fewer locks
! and less curvature than the Nicaraguan
| canal The measure Of these adyanta-
| ges is the time required for a vessel to
I pass through, which is estimated for an
! average ship at twelve hours for Panama
| and tn1rty-three hours for Nicaragua.
| On the other hand, the distance from
| San Francisco to New York is 377 miles,
| to New Orleans, 579 miles and to Liver
| pool 1856 miles greater via Panama than
| via Nicaragua. The time required to
pass over these distances being greater
/ than the difference in time of transit
! through the canal, the Nicaragua line
after completion, would be somewhat the
more advantageous of the two to the
/ United States, notwithst landing the great
er. cost of maintaining the longer canal
! iii. The government of Colombia, in
/ which lies the Panama canal has granted
/ an exclusive concession which still has
/ grant the necessary rights to the United
| States, except upon condition that an
| agreement be reached with the new Pan
anna Canal company. The commission