The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-12-14
COULD Be BUILT N SIX YEARS
MANY ADVANTAGES ARE CLAIM
ED OVER THE PANAMA
DITCH.
Recommended that the United States
Acquire Sovereignty Over a strip
q Territory Ten Miles Wide Be-
fore Building Canal

WASHINGTON. Dec. THE report
OF the Isthmlan Canal Commission
was sent TO Congress today. The
Commission. az anticipated several
weeks ago favors the Nicaragua
route and makes an estimate Of $lS9,
SEA 062 as the total cost Of cOnstruc-
ton Of the canal through Nicaragua.
The estimated cost OF the Panama
route IS sl44233.35S. but. the report
says. IL would cost 09,141 900 10 OBJ
tain the Panama concession The
Commission values the work done at
$4,000. 900. The report says the Pa
mama route IS feasible as a sea-level
canal. while the Nicaragua route must
be by locks. but Lake Nicaragua viii
furnish an inexhaustible supply Of
water for the canal
The Nicaragua route has no natural
harbors at either end but satisfac-
tory harbors may be constructed.
Harbors already exist az each end
Of the Panama route. but considera-
bic work must be done at the en-
trance Of the harbor on the Atlantic
side With adequate force and plant
the Commission estimates that the
Nicaragua canal can be completed
in six years. exclusive OF two years
FOR preparation. Ten years is estim-
ated TO complete the Panama. The
total length OF the Nicaragua route
Is 1896 miles. and the Panama route
1909 miles. The estimated cost OF
operating and maintaining the Nicara-
qua canal annually Is s1.350.000 great
er than that OF the Panama canal.
The estimated time for a deep
draught vessel 10 pass through the
Panama canal Is twelve hours. and
through the Nicaragua canal thirty
three hours
The Nicaragua route. the report
saws. is more advantageous for com
merce save that originating on the
west coast OF South America. For
the Gulf ports the advantage is two
davs and for most OF the ports on
the Atlantic and Pacific one day. The
Nicaragua route is said to be better
for sailing vessels on account OF
favoring winds Hvgienic conditions
also favor Nicaragua.
The Commission says the United
States should acquire control OF a
strip Of territory ten miles wide from
sea 20 sea through which 10 build the
canal The consent Of Nicaragua and
Costa Rica must be obtained TO con-
struct the canal but the report saws
this can easily be secured. The con-
cossion granted bv the Colombian
Government 10 the Panama Canal
Company have manv years 10 run and
new concessions cannot be granted
the United states
The report concludes as follows;
after considering all the facts dew
eloped bv the Investigations made by
the Commission the actual condition
as IL now stands and having consid-
cred the terms offered by the new
Panama Company this Commission is
of the opinion that the most practipal
and feasible route for canal. 10 be
under the control management and
ownership OF the United States. Is
that known as the Nicaragua route,
George 5 Morrison. a member Of
the Commission. submits minority
report favorinE the Panama route He
saws the estimates for the Nicaragua
canal do not make sufficient provi-
sions for unknown conditions and con-
tingencies No consideration. he says.
mas Detn gwen 4 the accidental in
terruptiOn OF tarifiic by Nicaragua
which he thinks would not be so
likely 10 occur at Panama. He be
lieyes that better conditions and terms
can be arranged through the acQui-
sition 81 the Panama Canal Com
PAWS rights than by any negotis
tions with Nicaragua and Costa Rica
The Government. after securing these
rights he SAYS. could negotiate direct
with Colombia for the right 70 con-
struct the canal
He closes by saving; The Panama
route has advantages over the Nicara-
qua route ia cost Of construction. in
cost OF operation and in convenience
WHOM done while its use is less likely
90 lead 90 local international compli-
cations II the United States Govern. /
merit IS % build an isthmlan canal
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