The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-05
Uhe Messenger.
THE TWO GREAT CANAL PROJECTS

The Isthmian Canal project is Of
genuine Importance and should interest
Americans. There is prevailing ignor-
ance as to it's interest n value. A
special commission was appointed by
act Of the congress on June 10th, 1899
The bill appointing was passed by the
Fffty-fifth Congress. The object was
to investigate the w routes known as
the "Nicaraguan Route" and the
''Isthmian Ronte." The president mad
powers conferred upon him to make in
yestigations with a view Of determi1-
ing the most practicable and feasible
route for such canal. together with the
approximate and probable cost of con-
structing a canal at two or more of
to investigate and ascertain what
rights, privileges and franchises, etc.
The president appointed nine mem
bers, six of whom belonged to the
civil engineers, and had good standing.
The report in the New York Forum is
Ella borate. The article prepared by Mr..
Adam F. Walker. states that the ply
steal advantages" of the 1sthmian
route have their preference or advant-
ag because "a canal at Panama would
be very much shorter. only H.19 miles
in length as against a total length of
1S6. SO miles by the Nicaraguan Route.
In the former route there would be q
miles of deep water at Lake Bohio
and in the latter route 1925 miles of
Juan river and 1914 miles of Lake
Nicaragua not requiring improvement,
making So miles in all: thus leaving in
one case 1913 miles and in the other
case 1908 miles on which construction
work is required and maintenance ex-
will always be demanded.
The elevation is also greater on the
Route. the estimates calling
for FIVE locks on the Atlantic side and
four locks on the Pacific side. between
Lake Nicaragua and the oceans; the
lake itself to b. held at a summit
level, from 1O4 to 10 feet above the
mean sea level. by an enormous struc-I
ture to be known as the Boca San Car
los dam. The Panama route will re-
quire out two locks on h Atlantic
side and but three locks on the Paci-
fc side t reach the maximum elevation
of from 50 to 80 feet at Lake Bohio.
This lake also must be protected by a
heavy dam, and h Culeba cut, So
called west of Lake BohiO, Will be
7,95 miles long and PA feet deep at the
highest point. 1t is estimated that
eight years will be required to complete
the excavation of this cut. which is the
Of the time required to finish
the canal by the Panama Route"
We merely give a glimpse of the pa
per quoted from. for it fills over four
teen pages in the monthly. Another in
teresting item is the cost of construc-
tion-the Nicaragua Route costing
$500, $40, 900. and the Panama much less
s142, 342, 579. But the latter has cost a
great deal more since it was begun.
There are other significant and impor-
tant figures, but we omit them. The
Panama is much longer from New York
to San Francisco (377 miles) and from
Liverpool to San Francisco. $3.50 miles)
but there would be 131.14 less miles OF
canal to pass through. New Orleans
would be $40 miles further also. But
all. points on the west coast of South
America would be much shorter by the
Panama.
But the commission did not report for
the Panama Route. but for its rival,
tina of Nicaragua. We give a little OF
statement for the preference indicated:
First. thre is the unfavorable char
acter of the concession to which the
Panama Route is subject, as we'll as its
short duration. 1t VIII expire August
18th, 1896, after which time all con-
structed works are to become the pro-
perty of the Columbian Government.
The Canal Company is also forbidden
to cede or mortgage it's right to any
government whatsoever. and is subject
TO charges and imposts amounting to
about $500, 900 per annum. together
with other obligations to Columbia.
In the second place. there is an ap-|
parent impossibility of dealing with the
present Canal Company on any reason
able terms. Possibly its stock might
be acquired; but a sale OF a majority
interest only has been suggested, to be
attended with provisions fou the pro-
lection of the minority in the
MANAGEMENT. Moreover. a condltlon
of its character is that al the plant and
material used in the construction OF
the canal must be of French origin
Some of these conditions might pc
overcome by sale to a new company 10
be incorporated in h United states.
The unprofessional reader will proba-
bly, vote for the Panama as 1T has very
great advantages owe the other pro-
route The objections urged might
be overcome by arrangement. But we
not so into it farther now. 1t looks
il il is 9 foregone conclusion that
the canal of greatest length and vaster|
difficulties will be chosen and finally
built. We must hope that there is not
"a job" in it and hat whatever
decision it may be made in and
Justice and for the best interests OF
the United states. There are many
involved. such as 10 affect
cost of transportation. time, compile
ton, etc.