New-York tribune., 1900-12-05
FAVoRs NICARAGUA ROUTE
REPORT or THE ISTRMIAN CANAL
COMMISSION
EXPERTS SAY THE CANAL CAN BE BUILT
N TEN YEARS AT AN ESTIMATED
COST OF oo.54Oooo
- rELreRAFH ID - - ]


washington. Dec. 4-Complete unanrnity in IA
cor Of the Nicaragua route. and convincing proof
~ the urgency of the waterway. with a wealth OF
accurate before attainahle 10 enable the
Government 10 enter upon actual construction with
certainly 20 the result are the gratifying con-
-lusions OF the Isfhmian Canal Commission con-
sistng of Resr-Admira' John G Walker. ex-sen-
stor Samuel Pssco. Alfred Noble George S Mori-
son. Colonel Peter c. Hams. William H Burr.
Colonel oswald H. Ernst Lewis NJ Haupt and
Emory r. johnson The canal proposed is TO be
much larger than any hitherto considered IN order
that the largest hattleship and nerchantrnan may
safely pass and its estimated cost Is 500 $40 OO re-
curing ten years in construction The report
which is merely prelininsry 10 the exhaustive
presentation OF the subject under preparation
hy the Commission. is almost as long as the An
uual Message sent by the President TO Congress
yesterday.
Although the work OF the Commission is not
completed, IL has been sufficiently advanced 10
make Il practicable 70 present a preliminary re-
port giving the essential findings. A thorough IN
vestigation has been made not only OF the Mica
ragua and Panama routes. but OF other possible
routes. the Commission keeping IN mind the in
dustral commercial and military value OF an inter
oceanic canal. and also the rights privileges and
franchises necessary 10 be secured for the con-
struction OF a canal under the control manage
ment and ownership OF the United States. Thirty
working parties were organized and sent into
the held. making a force OF about go engineers
and assistants. besides about 600 aborers boatunen
and other workuen employed IN the various coun-
tries. a total OF more than 500. The members OF
the Commission personally conducted various
branches Of the work one party went 10 Paris
where they examined the details Of the Panama
Canal project now being executed by the French
company.
NICARAGUA WANTS THE CANAL.
detailed description is given OF the trip over
the several routes. Along the Nicaragua route Il
found thai the short section OF partially con-
structed canal is perhaps in good shape to-day
u was when the work stopped. The build
ings. however, are ali rotten and the dredges boats
etc. are worthless The Commission visited Presi-
dent Zelaya and other officials OF Nicaragua and
found them greatly interested in the project The
occupation Of their territory by United States
for canal purposes die not seem 10 be regarded as
serious obstacle. provided the sovereignty OF the
republic was respected. Along the Panama route
the Commission found a large force OF worknen
engaged on the canal The canal had been opened
10 some extent ~ both ends. Immense quantities
o. machinery, implements and tools were found
along the route Much Of this property, the CON-
mission reports Is fl-adapted TO American methods
o. work and all OF Il is from thirteen 70
twenty years old. 80 that no value should be given
70 the plant now the isthmus visit was also
made 70 President Iglesias OF Costa Rica and his
Cabinet, and a strong sentiment was found to exist
Tor American canal along the Nicaragua route.
Trips were also made along the Darien route.
After going over the several routes the Com
mission considered the dimensions OF the canal TO
AS DNLiA- having III lile increasing size OF
pecan going vessels. Il was determined fix upon
depth OF IS feet at low water and a bottom
W16th OF 80 feet. with increase OF dimensions
e. certain points. These dimensions larger than
those proposed for any previous canal scheme.
While they may seem excessive to-day, the Com
mission points out that the canal is not likely be
opened within ter years. during which time the
increase IN maritime dimensions is likely 70 con-
tinue. width OF l5o feet viii allow all but the
very largest ships pass each other IN the canal
while the locks are OF dimensions permit the
largest ships ahoat 20 be manRuvred The size
C locks 74o feet IN length. 81 feet width IN the
clear with depth OF IS feet
Taking Up the Nicaragua route IN detail the Com
mission says that the route adopted follows essen
italy the lines laid down by the Nicaragua Canal
Commission IN its report OF lss7ss Il begins near
Greytown. the Atlantic side, follows TIE San
Juan River enters Lake Nicaragua and terminates
az Br1to. OF the Pacific side. The distance from