The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-05
FAV0RS NICARAGUA
UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON
ISTHMIAN CANAL SUBMITS
IT'S REPORT
PANAMA HAS {. ADVANTAGES
And Commissioners Morrison Favors
That Route, but His Colleagues
Arguments Reasons for the
Nicnraguan Waterway.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-The report Of
the isthmian canal commission was sent
to congress today. The commission, as
anticipated several weeks ago, favors the
Nicaraguan route and makes an estimate
of $1S9, 1854 ,062 as the total cost of construc-
ton of the canal through Nicaragua The
estimated cost of the Panama route is
S144, 233, 1858, but, the report says, 1t would
cost s109 al 600 to obtain the Panama con-
cession. The commission values the work
done at $40, 0O00,0 eco. The report says the
Panama route Is feasible as a sea level
canal, while the Nicaragua route must he
by locks, but Lake Nicaragua will furnish
an inexhastible supply of water for the
canal. The Nicaragua route has no
natural. harbors at either end, but salts
factory harbors may be- constructed.
Harbors already exist at each end Oh tho
Panama route, but considerable work
must be done at the entrance. of the hae-
Dor on the Atlantic side. With adequate
force and plant the commission estimates
that the Nicaraguan canal can be COM
.pleted in six years, exclusive of two yeats
for preparation. Ten years is estimated
to complete the Panama canal. The total
length of the Nicaragua route is 1896
miles and the Panama route 1903 miles.
The estimated cost of operating and
maintaining the Nicaraguan canal an
nually is $1,3500C0 greater than that OF
the Panama canal. The estimated time
for deep draught vessel to pass through
the Panama canal is twelve hours and
through the Nicaragua canal thirty-three
hours. The Nicaragua route, the report
says, is more advanta geous for commerce
save that originating on the west coast
of South America. For the gulf ports
the advantage is two days and for most
ports on the Atlantic and Pacific one day.
The Nicaragua route is said to be better
for sailing vessels on account of favorlng
winds. Hygenic conditions also favor
Nicaragua.
Strip of Territory Needed.
The commission says the United States
should acquire control of a strip of ter.
ritory ten miles wide from sea to sea
through which to build the canal. The
consent of Nicaragua and Costa RIGA
must be obtained to construct the canal.
but the report says this can be easily
secured The concessions granted by tne
Colombian government to the Panama
canal company have many years to RIM
and new concessions cannot be granted
the United States.
The report concludes as follows: after
considering all the facts developed by the
Investigations made by the commission,
the actual situation as it now stands and
having in view the terms offered by the
new Panama Canal company this conf
mission is of opinion that the most sprac-
ticable and feasible route for the isthmus
canal to be under the control, manage
ment and ownership of the United States
is that known as the Nicaragua route
George S. Morrison, a member of the
commission, submits minority report
favoring the Panama route. He believes
that better conditions and terms can be
arranged through the acquisition of the
Panama canal conlpanys rights, than by
any negotiations with Nicaragua and
Cost RIGA. The government after secur-
ing these rights, he says, could negotiate
direct with Colombia for the right to con-
struct the canal. He closes by saying:
1.-The Panama route has advantages
over the Nicaragua route in cost of con-
struction. in cost of operation and in con-
yenience when DONE while its use is less
likely to lead to local internal comp!ica-
tions If the United States government
is to build an isthmian canal, the Panama
route is the best"