The Van Buren press., 1900-12-08


1900 words, almost as long as the
presidents message.
Although the work of the commission is
not yet completed, many of the field par
ties still being out, yet II has been SUI
fcienty advanced to make 1t practicable
to present this preliminary report giving
the essential findings. A thorough inves-
tigation has been made not only or the
Nicaragua and Panama route, but OF
other possible routes, the commission
keeping in mind the industrial, CONNER
cial and military value OF an inter
oceanic canal, and also the rights, privi-
leges and franchises necessary TO be Sc
cured for the construction of a canal un-
der the control management ana owner
ship of the United States. In all Il work
ing parties were organized ana sent mo
the field, making u force OF about 22o en- ~
sineers and assistants, besides about COZ
iaborers, boatmen and other workmen
employed In the various countries total
Of more than 500. Meanwhile the mem
bers of the commission personally corr
party went to Paris, where they exam.
incl the details of the Panama canal
project now being executed by the Trenon
company. A detailed description Is given
of the trip over the several routes. Along
the Nicaragua route II was found that
the short section OF partially constructed
canal II perhaps IN az good shape to-day
as II was when the work was stopped,
The buildings however, are all rotten and
the dredges, boats, etc, are worthless
The commission visited President Ielaya
and other leading officials of Nicaragua
and found them greatly Interested In the
pl oject The occupation OF their terri
tory by the United States for canal pur-
poses did not seem to be regarded as
serious obstacle, provided the sovereign
~ Of the republic was respected.
Along the Panama route the commits
zion found large force OF workmen en-
gagged upon the canal line, about 1000 IN
pnny, the canal had been opened to some
extent at both ends. Immense quaint
ties OF machinery, implements and tools
were found along the route. Much OF this
property the commission reports, IL ill
adapted to American methods OF work,
and all OF II II now from 10 to 20 wears
old 30 that no value should be gwen TO
III, plant now on the is,hmus, visit
Costa Rica and his cabinet, and n strong
sentiment found TO exist for an American
canal along the NICARAGUA route. Trins
were also made along the Darien route.
After going over the several routes, The
commission considered the dimensions OF
the canal to be built. Having IN mind
| the increasing siae OF ocean going Ves-
sells, 1t was determined to TX upon a
| depth OF 35 feet AT mean low water and 4
| bottom width Of $50 feet, with some IN
crease Of dimensions at certain points,
| Thcsc dimensions are larger than those
proposed for any previous canal scheme.
| While they mny soem excessive to-day,
the commission points out that the canal
| ~ not likely to be opened within ten
| YEARS during which time the Increase IN
maritime dimensions Is likely to continue
| A width OF $50 feet will allow all but tho
very largest ships to pass each other IN
the canal, while the locks are OF a dl.
| mcnslon to permit even the largest ships
nfoat to be maneuvered The size OF
| locks In 1iO feet IN length, "a feet IL
width, In the clear, with depth Of 81
| Taking mp the Nlcaraguan route In de.
tail, the commission says that the route
| adopted follows essentially the lines laId
| down by the Nicaragua canal commission
| IN its report Of lSg,.lSO9, II begins n0nI
| Crcytowil, on the Atlantic side, follow
| tho san Juan river ontnrn Lake Nloarn'
| gun and terminates nj Brlto, on the Pa
cine side, The distance from ocean Il
ocean II about 1856 miles Plans are glvet
for the great harbors required nt Gerry.
| town and Brito. The most difficult en-.
cheering work II the dam across the Snr
Juan river to regulate ne waters of lht
canal hinges almost entirely on the tim,
required f"g ,Ao construction OF this dan.
| \ he commission suys ught years woult
! probably be "A reasonable estimate for III,
building, At least two years VIII be con
| summed In preparatory work and opening
hlrhor nt Greylown, so that n worn
On the dam should be commenced lmme
dintcly thereafter the time required fol
compIetng the entire work will be aboL
| ten wears,
| The commission then submits the fol
| lowing estimated cost OF n canal on III,
Eastern division from Greytown /,
Bocn San Carlos dam, Se,GO2.o0
| Middle division tfrom Bocn San Carlo
dam to Las Lains), $50, i25, 900
Western division from Las tdias I,
| HrIto) 81 $50, 900
Nmc,y.cleht. miles OF railroad Ga5ooCC
Total, OiliI0O0
| Enpinecrlpg police, sanitation and non
crOl contingencies $50 i23,o 900,
Aggregate S20ODiD,0W,
This estimate y for a canal suitable 70
navigation by the largest ships now II
existence and thus IN accordance will
| the terms of the bill pending IN congress
| II provides for u double system Of locks
po that navigation can lao maintained I
one system be closed lor repairs or re-
provided the coat WIN be reduced tNbN,
Oc0 Narrowing the bottom one-thlrd vii
permit u further reduction of Nb,NlD, 0uC
THIS would bring the estimated oost dow
C0neernlnH the Panama route, the com
mNAion says itH natural attraction Hes II
the combination of a very narrow 18th
mus with a low summit ne width 0
the iHthnus II less than 81 miles willie tn
summit is barely 300. feet above men
ra'irc route, the commission given Up
following estimated cost OF completing III
| Panama canal route
Colon entrance ana hurhor s133i,bi3
llnrbor 10 Dohlo locks. including leve'
NOilh2ss,
l,ohlo locks, Including excavation tlo
Lake Bohlo, ts,Tse,iia
ObIppo gates, 1905, i,b
uulobra section suJiS,33j,
Pedro Mleuel Locke including escavo
prJro Mluusl iVvvl. Al. iOg.gii.