The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-12-13

Complete unanImity IN favor OF The
Nicaragua route and convincing proof
OF the urgency OF the waterway, with
wealth OF accurate data never before
to enable the government TO
enter upon the actual construction OF
the canal with certainty as to the result
are the gratifying conclusions OF the
Isthmian Canal Commission. The canal
proposed is 10 De much larger than any
hitherto considered, in order that the
largest battle ship or merchantmen can
safely pass. and its estimated cost Is
sz00. $40 900, requiring ten years in coz
struction.
4 thorough investigation has been
made, not only OF Nicaragua and Pan
anna routes. but OF the other possible
routes. The commission concludes win
a careful comparison of the Nicaragua
and Panama routes. Ii shows that the
distance between the Atlantic and Pa
cific ports is shorter by the Nicaragua
than the Panama route. This is in part
offset by the increased time in getting
through the Nicaragua canal. The lat
ter route is reported to be much more
favorable for sailing vessels. The Mic
aragua route is also regarded as advan-
tageous through the development Ut
the country through which it passes. IL
is pointed out that the Panama conces-
sion now neld by the French company
prohibits the cession OF rights TO any
nation or foreign government. the
concession is limited. so that If the
United States acquired it there would
not BE absolute ownership IN perpetu-
ity. as the concession provides that the
canal shall pass to Colombia after SO
years.
The committee estimates the cost OF
the Nicaragua route at 2O0,o40,0ou.
This estimate is much in excess of an!
heretofore made, and is due TO increas-
ed dimensions and other features no.
heretofore considered. The commis-
sion also estimates the cost of canal
by the Panama route at 42,342.oI9 &C
cording to one route. or slo6. ,2os &C
cording to another route. AS between
the Nicaragua and Panama routes the
commission sums up NUMBER OF au-
yantages favorable to the former. IL
states also that under the concessions
given by the government OF Colombo
to the Panama Canal Company tna'
| government is not free to grant the
necessary rights to the United States
except upon conditions made by tins
company.
The report is a document OF about
| II. 900 words. almost as long as tA'
presidents message Although th'
work of the commission is not yet com
pleted, many of the field parties beins
still out. it has been sufficiently advise
to make it practicable to present tni'
preliminary report, giving the essenta
findings.
A detailed description is given of tbs
trim over the several routes. Along th'
| Nicaragua route it was found that th'
short section of partially constructed
canal is perhaps in as good shape a:
il was when the work was stopped. Ih'
| buildings. however. are all rotten. ahS
the dredges. boats etc. are worthless
The commission visited President Le
lava and other officials of Nicaragua
and found them greatly interested IL
the project.
Taking up the Nicaragua route II
| detail. the commission says the rous'
adopted follows essentially the lines
laid down by the Nicaragua Canal com
mission in its report of 1s97-Se- 1t be
gins near Greytown. on the Atlann'
side. follows the San Juan river, enters
Lake Nicaragua and terminates at Bri
to. on the Pacific side. The distane'
| from ocean to ocean is about $50 miles
plans are given for the great harbor'
! required at Greytown and Brito- Ih'
! most difficult engineering work is tn
dam across the San Juan river to regu
! late the waters of the lake.
Il The time required to build the cana
hinges almost entirely upon the TIM
required for the construction OF tn
dam The commission says eight year
would probably be a reasonable esfl
mate for the building. At least W.
wears will be consumed in preparator.
work and opening a harbor at Grey
town. so that IL work on the dar
shouid be commenced immediate.
thereafter the time required for com
pleting the entire work will be aoou
ten years.
The commission then submits II
following estimated cost of canal 0
the Nicaragua route: :
Eastern division from Greytown
Boca San Carlos dam. $685. 600
Middle division tfrom Boca San Ca
| los dam to Las Lajasl. se5.i2S. 900.
Western division from Las Lajas
Britol. s51.sSo coo.
Ninety-eight miles of railroad s.
$50. oao
Total. sI.lI7.oOo
Engineering. police, sanitation an
, general contingency. sss. $4,000
Aggregate. $200. 10000.
This estimate is for q canal suitab
for navigation by the largest ships no
in existence. and thus in accordan'
with the terms Of the bill row pend:i
in congress- 1t provides for a doa6
system Of locks so that navigation ca
be maintained IL one system be Gloss
for repairs or renewals II . sing
Ilockase system is provided the co
win be reduced 3la.s7s.0 o0. Narrovir
the bottom one-third win permit fu
Their reduction Of $ls,s4s.oe0 Ia