The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1900-12-06
Isthmian Canal Commission IMAM
imous in Approval Of the
Nicaragua Passage.
Cost Of the Undertaking Esti-
mated at a Trifie More
Than $500, 900, 900.
Panama Route Less Expensive
but an Exclusive Franchise
Has Been Granted.


the Isthmian canal commission, just
submitted to congress, givee as the
unanimous, conclusion Of that body
that ..the most practical and feasible
route for an Isthmian canal under the
control, management and ownership Of
the United States, 10 that known a. the
Nicaragua route"
The commission estimates tho cost Of
this route at $200, 540. 900. This esti-
mate 10 much in excess Of any hereto
fore made and 10 due to increased di.
mansions and other features not here.
tofore considered. The commission
also estimates the cost of canal by the
Panama route at $l42. 842. 57s. accord
ing to one route, or $l56, S78, 258 accord.
ing to another route. AS between the
Nicaragua and Panama routes, the
commission sums mp number Of adj
vantages favorable to the former. It
states also that under the concession
given by the government of Colombia
to the Panama Canal company, that
government is not free to grant the
necessary rights to the United States,
except upon conditions made by the
company. The report is document
of about l7,0Oc words, almost as long
as the presidents message. Although
the work of the commission is Lot yet
completed, many of the field parties
still being out, yet it has been sufi-
GENTLY advanced to make it practicable
to present
This Preliminary Report
giving the essential findings. A thor
ough investigation has been made not
only of the Nicaragua and Panama
routes, but of other possible routes, the
commission keepingin mind the indus
trial and commercial value of the canal.
also the rights, privileges and fran
chises necessary to be secured for the
construction of a canal under the con.
troll, management and ownership of
the United States. In all 81 working
parties were organized and sent into
the field, making force of about 900
engineers and assistants. besides about
800 laborers, boatmen and other work.
men employed in the various coun.
tries, q total Of more than 800. Mean.
while the members of the commission
personally conducted various branches
Of the work. One party went to Paris,
where they examined the details of
the Panama canal project now being
executed by the French company.
A detailed description is given of the
trip over the several routes. 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 worth
less. The commission
Visited President Zelaya
and other leading 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 obstacle, provided the SOW
ereignty of the republic was respected.
Along the Panama route the commits
sion found large force of workmen
engaged upon the canal line, about
1900 in number according to the Pam
anna company. The canal had been
opened to some extent at both ends.
Immense quantities of machinery, inn
plements and tools were found along
the route Much of this property, the
commission reports, is ill-adapted to
American methods of work and all Of
it is now from 13 to 20 years old, so
that no value should be given to the
plant now on the isthmus. A visit was
also made to President Iglesias of Coste
RIGA and his cabinet. and strong sen.
timent found to exist for an American
canal along the Nicaragua route. Trips
were also made along the Darien route.
The commission says eight years
would probably be a reasonable iesti-
mate for the time of building the canal.
At least two years will be consumed in
preparatory work and opening harbor
at Greytown, so that if work on the
dam should be commenced Immediately
thereafter. the time required for COM
plotting the entire work will be about
10 years
SUSPECTS DEPORTED.