New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11

spheres Numerous surveys have been made;
score or more Of routes have been selected
each being pronounced by its advocates incon1-
para5ly preferable TO al the rest, and vast
amount CT romance and speculation on the sub
jet has been INDUCED IN, without until very
recently, any definite result But the rapid
growth OF the States Of the Pacific Coast, closer
commercial relations and increased trade with
the Philippines, China and japan, and other less
important causes, have al last made the long
creamed Of canal necessity IN the view OF
many people; and the scheme has been denuded
- al romance and speculation, save such as
DWELL among the mathematical calculations Of
contractors and engineers. The number Of pro
POSED routes has been reduced 10 two which
eddl- enough, were the first chosen more than
taree centuries ago-at Panama and Nicaragua.
Fer each Of these special advantages are
claimed over the other, and upon each IL is
proposed TO Construct a maritime highway OF
entirely different character.
MnL-ely detailed descriptions Of the Two
routes have from time 10 tine been made public.
Tie acconpanyiug maps have been designed TO
present 10 the readers OF The Tribune a view
4 their most prominent geographical features,
sno The relations borne by them 10 each other
and 70 the commercial interests Of the United
States and 70 the world al large
THE PANAMA TIDEWATER CANAL.
The Panama route, il wiz be seen by refer
snee 70 the principal map, is in the immediate
vicinity q the railroad now IN operation between
Panama and AspinwaIl and lies wholly within
tie United States Of Colombia It's general d.
reclion Is from northwest TO southeast. along
tie valleys q the Chagres River and the Rio
Gran6e, Al which point the isthmus is only
for-y-tH-o or forty-three miles wide Il is pro-
posed 20 pursue the heroic course IN construct
ing this canal, and run i from ocean 10 ocean
a. tcewarer level Passage through the noun
tam range that forms the backbone Of the 18th
nus would be effected by tunnel, in which TWO
full rugged clipper ships may pass each other.
q course, no lift locks VIII be used, but as the
tides q the Pacific rise twenty feet higher than
hose Of the Caribbean Sea, a compensatory tide
lock VIII have 70 be built az each end Of the
great trans-isrhuian ditch
Numerous objections have been offered 10 this
route. Il is said that the climate is so deadly
that the laying Of each sleeper on the Panama
Railroad cost the life Of a workman; that the
violent rains. aggregating nine or ten feet an
A2aLy, and the uOrrenrIIke stream OF the Cha
EIes vii III the canal with silt and debris; that
ne southern terminus is in a region Of perpetual
cams, where excessive towage viii be required,
VINE The northern port IS the very home Of tor
Aaaoes' that The cost OF tunnelllng the noun
N@---s VIII BE- TOO great: and many similar
charges are made. Despite all this, the com
pshy expresses enthusiastic confidence Of sue
e-ss- The estimated cost Of the canal is only
sIeo539e Tor which subscriptions are re-
waived from al parts OF the world
THE ROUTE By LAKE NICARAGUA
Tne second route indicated on the map is that
q way q lake Nicaragua and the San Juan
5iFer. along the boundary Of Costa Rica, and
A-EDagh ne territory % the Republic Of Mica
iagus, region made famous by the daring and
szih q Walker. the nIibuster- The general d.
ilon & the route is from east TO west Be
s1nng a ~ near Greytown, on the Caribbean
azL The canal is 70 be dug for distance Of
three miles 70 the San Juan River, above
Junction q the Rio Grande Carlos. the
--ss stream bearing 100 much silt 10 allow the
- CT TIE san Juan River below that point.
aAeaee TIE line Of navigation viii be up the
- Juan which Is = thousand feet wide and
SAy teet deep, and q constant and gentle
- % Lake Nicaragua. IN all this distance
- Ocean 70 lake there viii be from six 70 ten
'ocks OF about ten feet each Lake Mica
Is hne inland sea- 40 miles long By
Mes side. and from 80 feet To 80 feet deep.
0s w feet above the sea level. The canal
VII cross the lake 70 its western shore.
sixteen and two-third miles from the
INC Ocean Here the hills rise 134 feet
- The lake. rendering deep but short
necessary. after which the canal Will
ihe udewater By an easy descent
sh system Of ten locks. Of ten feet
Ee,ahe not less than 1000 feet apart The
q - terminus wiz be ar BTiU0. At each end
sr,-nz ANA an artificial haFbor VIII have 10 be
Ensie lLefs being no natural harbor at Brit0
sne. ma al GreyfoWn formerly one OF the
e. - - lne coast, has become so badly silted
truss.S eseiess except for small craft The es-
Ctse-.3S-st Tor the entire work IS $4,000 Oo0
Aafe been made 70 this route. on