Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-29

1t is interesting to note not only the rapid
increase In the number of vessels which
nave used the canal, but the great increase
in the size of the vessels. This IS more
clearly shown in the figures of 1880 than
1890 for in 1880 there were 81 less vessels
passed through the canal than in 1855. and
Yet lS9O shows an increase over 1855 Of
.;,41 tons.
The Suez canal cost something over 500.
100000, OF which it is said only IS per cent
was actually spent in construction Its
building involved the removal of lOo,NO1O,O
cubic yards of sand. which was mostly dug
by Arab slaves with their hands and car
ried in baskets to the dumping ground. The
work was commenced in 1893 and the canal
was opened to commerce November II,
1863. or ten and a half years later. The
company to build 1t was Incorporated in
1893 with a capital of SiSNp,HO. There
were 100000 shares in the corporation bear
Ing per cent interest. which was to be
paid during construction. France the
motive power in the construction of the
canal, but England by the subsequent pur-
chase of 10000 shares at 1l3. now quoted
at $3.50. succeeded to the French control
These shares have received as high as q
per cent in annual dividends The traffic
on the canal has exceeded even the expec-
tatioEs of its builders. In recent years the
receipts from tolls have reached $14,U0p,0O
annually. In 1856 the canal was lit by cleo
trio light, thus almost doubling it's capacity,
ana the time Of transit has now been re-
duced from 33 hours and IS minutes to %
hours and minutes. The average tonnage
o..SSc
and the average charge for the passage ofI
such vessel was 1916
Reduction OF Tolls.
When the canal was first opened the tolls
were 81 per ton capacity for each ship and
s. for each passenger In 1855 these rates
were reduced to SIS per ton capacity.
Such tolls prohibitory for low grade
freights and these still go around the capes.
The Suez canal Is 800 miles long, averages
feet on top. The water in the canal will
average depth Of 1854 feet the entire
length. The enlargement OF this waterway
would be a profitable undertaking. and 1t
will not be long before 1t Is done, for the
increase in draft of freight carriers makes
81 feet the necessary depth for any water
way which proposes to be available for any
vessel which may come along.
The SueZ canal as an accomplished fact
has faded more or less from the minds Of
the people of the world one of the mar
vels of the past century, but 1t stands even
today achievement with few parallels
Its building cost the lives Of thousands OF
men. Its current changed the channels Of
trade throughout the world. made and
unmade ports built and unbuilt cities 1t
has been a feature of European statecraft
for centuries as proposition and a threat.
and finally a completed fact. The crimi-
nality exercised in Its building was colossal
in it's impudence and splendor The mate
REALIZATION of the SueZ canal was the aC-
comp'ishment of great intrigues and tre-
mendous crimes The Panama scheme,
born and carried to disaster In the momen-
tum Of the Suez accomplishment was a
marvel of petty larcenies from widows and
orphans. Its operations consisted Of vast
aggregates Of lesser crimes. In the case of
Suez 1t great and successful con-
fidence game, in which France was the
bunco steerer and Egypt the victim while
England. that vigiiant guardian Of her own
interests, stood by ready to reap advantage
In good time of all that might be done.
The Eternal Fitness.
From the Smart Set
Jaggles-"What did he do with that Japa-
nese dwarf-tree he bought?''