The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-05

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-The report Of
the isthmian canal commission SUBJ
mitted by the president 10 con-
gress today gives as the unani-
"the most practicable and feasible route
for an isthmlan canal under the control.
management and ownership of the United
States is that known as the Nicaraguan
route"
The commission estimates the cost OF
this route at 500 $4,000 This estimate is
much In excess of any heretofore made,
and is due 10 increased dimensions and
other features not heretofore considered.
The commission also estimates the cost
OF canal by the Panama route at sl42,-
N2, 51s, according 10 one route. or Si56,SIS,
25S, according to another route. AS be-
tween the Nicaragua and Panama routes,
the commission sums up number of adj
vantages favorable to the former. Ii
states also that under the concessions
given by the government OF Caombia TO
the Panama Canal Company. that govern
ment is not free TO grant the necessary
rights TO the United States except upon
conditions made by the company
The report is document of about H.
o0c words, almost as long as the presi-
dents message Although the work OF
many OF the field parties stiil being out.
yet It has been sufficiently advised TO
make II practicable to present this pre-
liminary report giving the essential find-
ings
A thorough investigation has been made,
not only OF the Nicaragua and Panama
routes. but OF other possible routes the
commission keeping in mind the indus
trial. commercial and military value Of
an lnteroceanic canal and also the priv
ilegos and franchises necessary to be Sc
cured for the construction OF a canal
under the control. management and own
ership Of the United States. In all thir-
ty-one working parties we're organized
and sent into the field, making a force Of
20 engineers and Assistants. besides about
GO labOrers, boatmen and oths work
men employed in the various countries,
making total OF more than 500 Mean
while the members of the commission
personally conducted various branches of
the work One party went to Paris. where
they examined the details of the Panama
canal project now being executed by the
French company
Trip over the Routes.
A detailed description IS given Of the
trip over the several routes Along the
Nicaragua route It was found that tho
short section Of partially constructed
canal Is. perhaps, In as good shape as 1t
was when the work was stopped. The
buildings. however, are all rotten and
the dredgos, boats, etc. are worthless
The commission visited President Zelaya
and other officials OF Nicaragua. and
found them greatly interested in the pro-
ieet The occupation of their territory
W the United States for canal purposes
dld not seem to he regarded as a serious
obstacle provided the sovereignty of the
republic was respected.
Along the Panama route the commission
found large force OF workmen engaged
upon the canal line, about 2ceo IN number
according 10 the Panama company. The
canal had been opened to some extent at
both ends Immense quantities of ma
chinery. implements and tools were found
along the route Much Of this property
the commission reports is IN adapted 70
American methods OF work and all OF Il
is now from thirteen to twenty years old
SO that no value should be given to the
plant now on the tSthmus
\ visit was also paid to President Igia-
sias. of Costa Rica and his cabinet. and
a strong sentiment found TO exist for an
American canal along the Nicaragua
route. Reports are made along the Dari-
en- route.
After soipg oycgthe several routes. the
commission considered the dimensions %
the canal 20 'be huNt, Having Ia mind tho
increasing size of going vessels IL
Was determined 10 TX upon a depth Of
thIriy-nyc feet al mean loW water and "A
bottom width ~ l1a feet with some IN
erase ~ dimensions az certain points
These dimensions ave larger than those
proposed Tor any previous canal scheme
while they may seem excessive today
The commission says that the canal Is not
likely to BE- opened within ten years, dur
ina which tlmc thc increase in maritime
dimensions is likely to continue 4 width
of 80 feet Nll allow all bat the very
largest ships t9 pass each other ln iho
canal while ,hc locks aro of dimen-
siou g. permit cVeu tbs largest ships
ailaat io be mnneuvtred The size ~ locks
H. gD fcet in iength. "a feet in width
10 the clear Wtth a depth OK 5 feet
Nicaragua Raate.
Takins up .he Nicaragua rsute tn detail.
the commission says tho route adopted
flu5ws essentially tHe lines laid down by
the NHaraEua c&nai commission lu lts
rsoart of i4,-9 Il aeEins near GreytoWu-
ass fho Atlantic aide. ,aiioRs. tAe san Jos-
auin river enters Lake Nicaragua and
terminates al Brit0. pu the Faeifc Side
The distance from ocean 10 ocean ,s about
sS, mnta Plans are s3ven sor thc svsat
harhors required 40 GrfytaRu ans Rr.ta.
Tn, most dilucalt euEineefing Fark is
f,n dam across the san @asa riyer ta
regulate the waters of she isse. TIE uEc
y.gairea fo buiid tae canal hinges almost
,n lsssy Ga ths lima required Jar tbe ceB-
s7ructiou " this Jam Tne commission
saws eight years souA5 prasa aly be a
rtaaenahle estimate far taa aAiltns AZ
Jsast rxn years Wtl oe consumed ln pre-
parAt.ry work ana opsniuK haFh4g Ar
Cy~nyfawu So thAt 1t WHrs um tav Aam
should - commenced immediately the-e-
aFtrs. the lmc n@uire2 Tor cempitfiav
tAr cntisa work SIi hc ataat TEN years
TTe commission thea Submits fna fai-
IoN.ng estimated cast ot a eaaa4 on the
N{carAVua route;
F.aaeru division. from Greytown 90
D0ca san CAUsas danA SA..ss-'s"' nltaie
dFrIsien from Boca San Carlos dam to
IAs f4as 81 * en. ResthEE dlvislon.
fran T.as Iajas 20 Brita. 81 ~ f@l. uir -
t,--elEht miles ~ "a irr t4. : 20 ~. Ha~
faI Ns- lI1 laa. ,nElncering. poiicr. sani-
fsfrra and general contingency. 81 t.-slae.
--,sr-tr No F4l 5sla