The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-05
N|CARAGUAN ROUTE IS
FAVORED BY COMMISSION
Continued From Page One.

Nicaragua canal is about S., 100000 more
than that OF completing the Panama ca
nai. leaving out the cost of acquiring the
latter property. 1nis measures the diff
terence in the magnitude Of the obstacles
70 be overcome in the actual construc-
ton of the two canals, and covers all
physical considerations, such as the
greater or less depth of cuts, the pres
ence or absence OF natural harbors, the
presence or absence of a railroad. the
exemption from liability to disease and
Ine amount OF work remaining 70 be done.
Inc new Panama canal company has
SHOWN no disposition TO sell its property
70 the United States. should the COM
pany be able and willing TO sell. there
is reason TO believe that the price would
not be such as would make the total cost
10 the United States less than that of
the Nicaragua canal
80. The Panama canal, after compie-
ton, would be shorter, have fewer locks
anu less curvature than the Nicaragua
canal. The measure of these advantages
Is the time required for a vessel to pass
through. which is estimated at thirty
three hours from Nicaragua. On the other
hand, the distance from San Francisco
70 New York is S.l miles, TO New Orleans
519 miles, and to Liverpool $50 miles great
er via Panama than via Nicaragua. The
time required TO pass over these dis
tances being greater than the difference
In the time of transit through the Gu
nails, the Nicaragua line. after compile
ton, would be somewhat the more advan-
tageous of the two to the United States.
ienance of the longer canal
3 The government of Colombia, In
which lies the Panama canal. has grant
ed an exclusive concession which has still
many Years to run. 1t Is not free to
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 be-
lieves such agreement IL impracticahle.
SO far as can be ascertained. the COM
pany is not willing to sell its franchise,
but IL viii allow the United States TO
become part owner of its stock. The COM
mission considers such an arrangement
inadmissible. The governments of Me-
afagua and Costa Rica, on the other hand.
are untrammeled by concessions, and are
free to grant to the United states such
privileges as may be mutually agreed
upon.
I'm view of all the facts. and particu-
larry in view Of all the difficulties of obs
tanning the necessary rights. privileges
and franchises on the Panama route and
assuming that Nicaragua and Costa Rica
recognize the value of the canal to them
selves and are prepared to grant con-
cessions on terms which are reasonable
and acceptable to the United States, the
commission is of the opinion that the
most practicable and feasible route for
an isthmian canal TO he under the man.
agement and ownership of the United
States Is that known as the Nicaragua
route"
The message of the president transmit
ting the report Is as follows:
ITO the Senate and Honse OF Repre-
sentatives. ] transmit herewith for the
nary report of the isthmlan canal COM
mission, dated November 90 1900.
civilian M'KTNFF.Y"
Executive Mansioa, Dec. e. 1900"