The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-12-05
.ISTHMIAN CANAL.
Lengthy Document Of 1900 Words,
Reviewing in Full Proposition
to Build the Waterway.
NICARAGUA ROUTE FAVORED.
Aggregate lost $500, $40, ooo-capa-
BILE Of Receiving Largest
Sea Vessels.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 4.-The report
Of the fsthmlan canal commission sub
mltted by the President TO Congress to-
day, gives as the unanimous conclusion
of that body that the most practicable
and feasible route for an isthmlan canal
under the control. management and
ownership Of the United States; Is that
known as the Nlcaraguan route
The commission estimates thu cost OF
this route at s2Oo,5l0.0Oo, This estimate
Is much In excess of any heretofore
made, aad Is due to increased dimen-
sions and other features not heretofore
considered. The commission also esti-
mates the cost of Il canal by the Pana-
ma route at sl42,a42.570. according to
one route, or s15s.S7s.2s5 according to
another route. AS between the Nicara-
qua and Panama route the commits
sIon's sums up number Of advantages
favorable to the former. 1t states also
that under the concessions given by the
Panama government to the Panama
Canal Company that company is not
free to grant the necessary rights to the
United States except upon conditions
made by the company.
Long as Presidents Message.
The report is document of about H.
900 words, almost as long as the Presi-
dents message. Although the work of
the commission Is not yet completed.
many of the field parties still being out,
yet it has been sufficiently advanced to
make 1t practicable to present this pre-
llminary report, giving the essential
findings. A thorough Investigation has
been made, not only of the Nicaragua
and Panama route. but Of other posi-
BILE routes, the commission keeping in
mind the industrial, commercial and
military value of an inter-oceanlc canal
and also the rights. privileges and fran
chIses necessary TO be secured for the
construction OF canal under the con-
troll, management and ownership of the
United States. In all thirty-one work.
Ing parties were organized and sent into
the field, making force Of about 900 en-
gineers and assistants, besides about 600
laborers, boatmen and other workmen
employed in the various countries. 4
total Of more than $780, Meanwhile the
members Of the commission personally
conducted various branches Of the
work. One party went to Paris. where
they examined the details OF the Pana-
ma canal project now being executed
by the French company.
Detailed Description of Trip.
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 to-
day as was when the work was stop
ped. The buildings. however. are all
rotten and the dredges, boats, etc, are
worthless. The commission visited
President Zelaya and other leading off,
Gals 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 Pan
anna route the commission found n large
force OF workmen engaged upon the
canal line about 1000 In number. ac-
cording to the Panama company. The
canal had been opened to some extent
at both ends. Immense quantities of
machinery and tools we're found along
the route. Much Of this property. the
commission reports. Is lll.ndapted 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 Iglesias. OF
Cocta' Rca, and his cabinet. and
strong sentiment found to exist for an
American canal along the Nicaragua
route Trips were also made along the
Darien route
Dimensions of Canal Considered.
After going over the several routes.
the commission considered the tiImsn-
sons OF the canal to be built Having
In mind the increasing size Of OCEAN
going vessels. IL WAX determined to fix