New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-18
TEXT OF THE REPORT.


dictate
There seems to be but little doubt that the
States of Nicaragua and Costa Rica Will give
their consent for the construction Of this great
WoIh 1hese states are friendly disposed tow
aFu our Government and our people, and have
interests connected with II that are in proper
ton 10 wealth and population. even greater than
ours. II viii traverse either the border or the
interior Of Nicaragua for distance of about
100 miles. II will give TO that State a
waterway from its capital and its most produc-
tive region 10 the sea It viii place that coun-
try on one Of the great waterways of the world
bringing IL into immediate contact with a large
foreign commerce and those who conduct it.
Inc splendid soil and climate Of their agrt-
cultural regions viii be seen and known in such
a way as 10 compel immigration. settlement and
IdiSVIy increased production In very many
ways the State will have advantages not now
possessed and that viii be for long time lost
II another route by which the oceans ara con-
nected should be adopted. All Of these consid-
erations induce the belief that these two en-
lightened States will be glad to aid our Gov
ernment cordially and efficiently in carrying out
this great design.
PROJECT ENTIRELY PRACTICABLE
After reviewing the several surveys. the re-
port continues:
These reports above referred TO. the opinions
Of the engineers and scientists believed to be
entirely competent for their work justify your
committee in recommending the undertaking Of
the enterprise as one that is entirely practica-
bic. and that can be completed for a sum Of
money the expenditure Of which Will be wise
1t is true that the estimates Of cost are varia-
bic. ranging they do from less than $4,000
600 TO a possible S145. 100000 It is however
proper 10 say that the size and character OF the
canal estimated for is as variable as is the
cost The earliest estimates were for q canal
suited 10 the ships Of the time The later esti-
mates are for ships of this time Fifteen feet
depth and fifty feet width the size Of the
earlier project. Thirty feet depth and $50 feet
width are the dimensions of the later proposed
canal
e.
Your committee suggests in discussing the
cash remuneration that will come 10 the United
States from the ownership of this canal esti-
mates only can be made, and there has been
great difference Of opinion expressed by persons
who have come before the committee as wit
nesses and by writer's this subject 70 the
extent Of the use that would he made Of the
canal by the shipping Of the world. One man
has said that. in his judgment, not more than
three hundred thousand tons would pass
through the canal annually Another has said
that eleven million tons would pass through the
canal Men connected with the Maritime Canal
Company gave il as their opinion that five mill
ion or six millions Of tonnage would be the
amount that would pass through the canal
annually.
OF course. we have the right TO assume that,
whatever the amount be, II would be in
creasng amount from year to year. At present
81 - a ton is the toll charged for the use Of the
Suez Canal. Il that rate was the rate charged
at the Nicaragua Canal, and four millions be
the tonnage passing through IT. an aggregate
sum Of more than S6OOOOOO would be the re-
CetDts It is estimated that the cost or MAIN
tanning and operating the canal Woulu DC
81 1OOO00O annually. If the United States bOr-
roWed the money 10 invest in the enterprise. TINS
sum would pay the annual interest, the cost or
maintaining and operating, and leave surplus
of more than 81 100000. And with the increas-
ing tonnage We might reasonably hope for such
communications Of surplus as would IN rev
years fully reimburse the Government for us
outlay.
AID TO THE MERCHANT MARINE.
Or If it should be the policy 70 use the canal TO
stimulate the building UP Of our merchant ma
rine il could be made a most powerful factor
A British merchant trading from any port IN
Great Britain 10 Hong Kong, chartering o,'po-
ton vessel and using the Suez Canal, must pay as
tolls a sum in excess Of S1S.OtU for the round
voyage His American rival trading from New
York 10 Hong Kong, using the Nicaragua Canal
free Of toll because he used vessel made in an
American shipyard, out Of American material
and by American labor and loaded with Amer
lean merchandise, would possess a marked ad-
advantages 50 marked as 20 make II
his interest 70 stimulate American shipbuilding.
II is THIS kind OF a canal-that may be used IN
this way-discriminating in favor Of our mer-
chants and shipbuilders and our labor Nf
such should be the policy Of the CIovernment)-
that your committee are anxious TO secure.
ADJUSTMENT OF CONCESSIONS.
Your committee are aware thar there are
number Of persons who claim 70 have conces-
sions from the Governments Of Nicaragua and
Costa Rica investing them with rights to navi-
gate the San Juan River and Lake Nicaragua
great waterway connecting the oceans But 1t
IS believed by your committee that these rights
have either lapsed or are of inconsiderabie value
OF haze been obtained for speculative purposes
However this may be. II should be the purpose
Governments Of Nicaragua and Costa Rica;
those Governments can adjust all questions
growing out Of these concessions much more
easily than the United States. 1t is not be-
Iieved that any one OF these real alleged
cesstonaireE have any rights OF interests that
thew can convey to the United States. And IL is
moi deemed wise to have any joint interest
interests Of copartnership or any interest grow
ing out OF corporate relations with any Of these
persons II is our opinion that the people Of the
United States want a Government canal one
that will be completely under the control OF th4
United States.
SHOULD BE UNDER AMERICAN CONTROL.
II is claimed by some persons that creating
this short passage 10 our Pacific possessions
would be invasion OF the rights OF other
maritime nations: that connecting the waters Of
the two oceans is matter Of such vast concern
that il becomes international IN character But
we think the people Of other country would
have a right 10 object II the people OF the
Trnited States saw At to construct a ship canal
from New-York TO San Francisco on the ter
ritory belonging solely the United States
Nor would the people Of any other country have
Continued third BaEe.