The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-23

AT the request OF Senator Perkins Of
California there has been printed as
public document the proceedings OF a
meeting held under the auspices of the
American Association OF China TO consid-
er the question OF an Isthmian Canal, con
sisting Of remarks and addresses by The
Rev. F. L. Hawks Pott, president OF the
association; V. G. Lyman. secretary OF the
association; John GoOdnow. United States
Consul General; Capt. George 4. Bicknel,
United States Navy, and Z. 7. Williamse,
translator Kiangnan Arsenal.
Consul General GOodnow was the princi-
pal speaker. lie said in part:
4 am firmly of the opinion that canal
should be constructed at either Nicaragua
or Panama. as the engineers and diplomat
lists decide; that Il should be constructed
by the United States Government: and that
the United States should acquire the land
FOR. say fifty miles on either side OF the
route determined on. so that the canal
would be constructed on our own soil.
Il will not discuss the naval argument,
though few will forget the long voyage Of
The Oregon last summer from san Fran
cisco via Cape Horn 10 Cuba; and the oh
ject lesson IL was 10 us all OF how an
istImian canal would add greatly 10 The
efi ,iency OF our Navy I would only call
attention TO the fact that such canal is
most needed for all purposes at the time
when its existence might be endangered II
10 was constructed on land owned by fee
bic country which might be cOerced by
an enemy and the canal thus closed TO us.
II We need a canal for defence and as
part OF our coast line. We need TO absolute
Is control "a by forts on our own territory
II
would now only be a matter ~ price and
no price is too great to pay for safety TO
our commerce and to our own coast cities
L will not attempt 10 discuss the effect
of a canal regulating trans continental
rates by water competition on the great
railway systems OF our country, except to
say that 7 believe that canal opening up
the markets OF the world more freely 10
our products would so stimulate production
that the transportation systems would
gain more than they would lose by it.
The Effect ON Trade.
-.Our subject for discussion is only as to
the effect OF an Isthmian Canal on the
trade or the United states with China.
will discuss for few minutes the compari-
son OF this proposed route with the present
routes from New York 20 China; the pro
particularly 20 be affected by the new
route to China; the increasing market
here: our competitors; and very briefly the
products Of China now being taken by US.
In the comparison of routes 7 will note
the three points most potent in the max
ing Of rates. Il is also necessary to note
the location OF our principal competitors in
leading lines as regards present routes and
the proposed route. There are two trade
routes now from New York TO China. In
figuring distances I have used Shanghai as
representing China, as Il does for all prac-
teal purposes. all the trade for central and
northern China passing through this port.
BY the Cape OF Good Hope the distance
from New York TO Shanghai by full-pow-
cred steam vessels is IL, $40 nautical miles
while sailing vessels must take from 1000
20 Is $40 nautical miles, according TO the
season Of the year. BY this route the
Equator must be crossed twice; the whole
breadth Of the Indian Ocean, with the
damp heat detrimental to cargo. crew. and
passengers, must be crossed; the storm re-
gions Of the Atlantic Indian, and Pacific
Oceans must be traversed.
by This route insurance must be high on
account Of the dangerous storms Many
kinds Of cargo are affected by the long con
tinued heat Few passengers take this
trip. From New York TO Shanghai via
Suez Is J., $50 miles for steamers. Sailing
vessels do not take this route. The ex-
pense Of towage Is prohibitiye. as net only
must each vessel be towed through the Suez
Canal but also for more than l 300 miles
through the Red Sea, where the dangerous
navigation makes sailing out Of the ques-
ton This route lies from east to west
along the hot ATTITUDES. Especially hot is
the passage through the Red Sea and the
Indian Ocean. BY this route the storms Of
the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian and
Pacific oceans must be passed through. A
most important objection TO those routes
lies in the fact that they can be easily
closed 20 us ia the time OF war.
In these days steamers imply eoaIing