New-York tribune., 1901-02-22
CANAL COMMISSIONS REPORT
Speaking of the preliminary report of the
Canal Commission Nh Ford said:

The Commission had no call 10 mix the political
sum and substance of the report shows that
Panama is evidently their real preference for
technical reasons. but they have lost their tempers
in dealing with the French Panama Canal Com
10 ASSUME that negotiations Tor the fun control
by the United States are impossible at Panama
approached the only authority that could possibly
reply to that question-the Colombian Government,
while they have actually visited the capitals OF
iciaIIy communicated with the Colombian Govern
ment by calling the Governor. either OF
the department OF Panama Bolivar. when they
fore consider that their report is 50 far III judged
However. it has had this important effect. that FOR
the first time single Commission has reported
dice. its members have told the world that the
Panama Canal is not only perfectly feasible but
that it can be built for some 100000 900 less than the
The Special pleading that has enabled the Com
mission 10 recommend Nicaragua for the United
a good deal Of expiration in the future. My rea-
So!s loL t ma ma ~ i,t t, ~ ,b
built, are nrst because the eminent aolty OF the
professional members or the Commission Is
cause some other Powers are not quite so squeam-
ish 70 the words OF control The more con-
Tr atty. as e. was originally the more you release
imnIed 6bIgatons I under the CLAYTON BIWer
Treaty and force the ultimate construction Of the
defence: and whether nomnally commercial en-
vantage OF the peculiar circumstances that force
waterway
NICARAGUA ROUTE FEASIBLE.
am not such a fanati, in favor OF the Panama
route engineer I would wish to be
quoted as questioning the feasibility of the Me
aragua Canal IL Is OF Co1Tse possible 10 build
canal there 1872 miles long. against forty six and
half a Panama. IL IS of course. possible to con-
struct harbors at Greytown and Rrito against
the existing harbors at Colon and Panama. Every
thing I suppose. is possible. but IL IS simple in
commercially there can be any comparison of the
relative advantages of the two routes
Mr. Ford believes the revolution has received
it's death blow ami that the country is about to
enter on an era of peace. He said:
The principal cause of the revolution was un-
dOuhedly the financial condition of the country and
the excessive issues of paper money not properly
authorized by law This gave rise TO dishonest
PRACTICES among the Nationalist branch of the Con
scryative party. of which they were decidedly not
the best element. but formed ring of clever poll
ticans who had full control Of Sanclemente the
aged President They were obstinate and excluded
the best element in the country and did many
Tribe ls leader of the Liberal party In his attempt
10 overt brow them. However. the 'IIistOrtcOs.'
tba better element of the Conservative party,
ried ont "A coup detat which Ousted the old Presi-
nov,er At the same time they put in Senior Mario
auD the Vice President. to hold the office of Pres
iIent until the revolution could effectually be
sdueched Their present Intention believe. Is TO
can a convention to elect permanent government.
The men at present in control are from the best
element i'm the country. They will probably elect
say who is likely secure the office public opin-
Ion seems to incline toward General Nelez the pres
ont Governor of the Department OF Bolivar and
Comma nder- in Chef OF the Army Personally be-
Ieve The end of Colombias troubles Is In sight, and
I should like 10 see General Uribe invited to take
part in the convention