Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-12-12
CANAL COMMISSION REP ORTS
That Body Unanimously in Favor OF
the Nicaraguan Route-Pann-
ma Route Cheaper.

washington, Dec. 5.-The report of the
fsthmian canal commission SUBMIT ted by
the president to congress Tuesday gives
as the unanimous conclusion of that body
that the most practicable and feasible
route for an isthmian canal, under the
control, management and ownership OF
the United States, is that known as the
Nicaragua route"
The commission estimates the cost OF
this route at $500, $40, 000 This estimate Is
much in excess Of any heretofore made,
and is due to increased dimensions and
other features not heretofore considered.
Tn commission also estimates the cost OF
canal by the Panama route at $l42.o42,-
$40, according to one route, or $685. S2oS,
according to another route.
AS between the Nicaragua and Panama
route the commission sums up a number
of advantages favorable to the former.
1t states also that under the concessions
given by the government of Colombia to
the Panama Canal company, that govern
rnent is not free to grant the necessary
rights to the United States except upon
conditions made by the company.
Taking up the Nicaragua route in &C.
tail, the commission says that the route
adopted follows essentially the lines laid
down by the Nicaragua canal commission
in its report Of 1S97-1S99. 1t begins near
Greytown on the Atlantic side, follows
the San Juan river, enters Lake Nlcara-
qua and terminates at Brito Oh the Pa
cific side. The distance from ocean to
ocean is about 1S6 miles. Plans are given
for the great harbors required at Grey
town and Brito. The most difficult en-
gineering work is the dam across the
San Juan river to regulate the waters OF
the lake.
The commission then submits the esti-
mated cost of a canal on the Nicaragua
route, which totals $2cO, $40 600. This esti-
mate is for a canal suitable for naviga-
ton by the largest ships now in exist
ence, and thus in accordance with the
terms of the bill pending in congress.
Concerning the Panama route, the COM
mission says its natural attraction lies
in the combination of very narrow 18TH
mus with a low summit. The width OF
the isthmus is less than 50 miles, while
the summit is barely 800 feet above mean
tide. After a detailed description of the
entire route, the commission gives the
estimated cost of completi the Panama
canal route a. $142, $40. $40.
The commission concludes with a care
full comparison of the Nicaragua and Pan
anna routes. 1t shows that distances be-
tween Atlantic and Pacific ports are short
er by the Nicaragua than the Panama
route. This is in part offset by the in
creased time in getting through the Mic
aragua canal. The latter route is report
ed to be more favorable for sailing YES
sells. The Nicaragua route is also regard
ed as advantageous through it's develop
ment of the country through which it
passes.
1t is pointed out that the Panama conces-
sion, now held by the French company,
prohibits a cession or rights to any nation
or foreign government. The concession is
limited, so that if the United States
quired it there would not be an absolute
ownership in perpetuity, as the concession
provides that the canal shall pass to Co.
lombia after 80 years