The Red Cloud chief., 1901-11-29

practically one. As n rule, distributed
work affords a greater number. OF avail
quicker completion, but in either OF these
cases such difficulties as may. exist can
be successfully met with suitable organi-
zation and efficient appliances.
Labor Scarce There.
The time required for constructing the
Nicaragua Canal will depend largely on
tho promptness with which the requisite
force of laborers can be brought to Mica
aqua, housed and organized with the To-
cations OF heaviest work along the route.
The cut through the divide west of tne
lake probably will require the longest
time Of any single feature Of construc-
ton. II contains 49, 600. 900 cubic yards OF
than 10 per cent of the total work of all
classes Included. with adequate force
and plant this commission estimates that
indicates. under reasonable allowance. for
ordinary delays, II force and plant
enough were obtainable. to secure q
practically GonSurrent exeouton OF om an
pletion Of the entire work might be exc
cuted within six years after its being
started, exclusive of the two years esti-
mated for the period of preparation. The
securing and organizing. of the great
force OF laborers needed. largely foreign-
ers. so as to adjust the execution OF the
definite program of close fitting parts
In a practically appropriated tropical
country involves unusual dtf1cultieS anu
would prolong the time required for com.
pletion. The greatest single feature OF
work on the Panama route is the excava-
ton I'm the Culebra section. amounting
clay, much of which Is classed as soft
rock. nearly IS per cent of all classes or
material to be removed.
Eight Years Required.
II is estimated that this cut can be
completed In eight years. with allowances
for ordinary delays, but exclusive OF. a
unforeseen delays, and that the remain
der OF the work can be finished within
the same period. The great concentra-
ton of work on this route and Its less
amount will require a smaller force OF
laborers than on the Nicaragua route:
Hence the difficulties and delays involved
in securing them will be correspondingly
ragua route, from sea to sea, Is lsS;O6
miles, while the total length Of the
Panama route Is 1903 miles. The length
in standard car section. and on the
harbors and entrances. Is GLE miles for
the Nicaragua route and 36.il miles Tor
the Panama route. The length OF sailing
line In Lake Nicaragua H. 10,6l miles.
while that In Lake Bohio is 12.6s miles.
hat portion OF the Nicaragua route In
the ~canalized San Juan is 39.S7 miles. The
preceding physical features OF the W
lines measure the magnitude OF the work
to be done In the construction Of water
ways along the two routes. The esti-
tfs'e Nie cara Dn route is SS45, &c. 4 more
than that of completing the Panama
Canal. emitting the cost OF acquiring the
latter property. This sum measures the
difference I'm the magnitude of the OBJ
stacles to be overcome In the actual con-
struction of the two canals and covers
greater or less height CT dams. the great
err or less depth of cuts, the presence or
absence of natural arbors. the presence
or absence OF a railroad, and the amount
| 10 - rnpnnintnev IN ha nnna Tha pStl-
mated annual cost of maintaining. y
operating the Nicaragua Canal Is $l,SSO.-
600 greater than the corresponding
charges for the Panama Canal.
Panama Route shorter.
The Panama route would be 1887 miles
ragua route. 1t would rave less summit
elevation. fewer locks. and &.44 miles
less curvature. The estimated time. for
about twelve hours for Panama and thir-
ty-three hours for Nicaragua. These pc
Rods arc practically the measure OF the
relative ADVANTAGES OF the I've canals nsss al AZ
but not entirely. because the risks to
vessels and the dangers Of delay are
s Essse, f IN a tS San i,em asa on m Fisk dHe an oRe delays ssS;
canals need be taken Into account only
as an element in the time required by
vessels to make their voyage bet ween
criminal ports. Compared on this basis.
the Nicaragua route is the more advan
tageous for all transisthmian commerce
except that originating or ending on the
west coast of South America. Flo the
in which the United states Is
most Interested. that between our Pacific
ports and Atlanti ports, European and
American. the Nicaraguan route Is short
er by one day. The same advantage ex-
lists between our Atlantic ports and the
tage OF the Nicaragua route is nearly
two days. For commerce between North
Atlantic ports and the west coast Of
shorter by about two days. between
gulf ports and the west coast OF South
america the saving IL about one day.
favorable one for sailing vessels. because
Of the uncertain winds In the Bay OF
Panama. This Is not, however. n ma
terial matter, as sailing ships are rapid
~ being displaced by steamships. A
canal by the Panama route will be SIM
ply a means of communication between
highway of for more THAI 3N
years. and n railroad has been In opel
alton. there. for nearly. nifty years; bu!
this has affected Industrial changes but
little. and the. natural features OF the
country through which the route passes
are such that no considerable develop
ment IL likely to occur as a result of the
construction and operation OF a canal
In addition to Its use as "a means OF com
munication between the two oceans. q
. s srins S Sk fas S'S and q large Eeo portions SS0 q
Costa Rica and other Central American
states into close and easy communication
, with the United States and with Europe
The intimate business relations thai
would be established with the people Of
the United States during the period OF
+. construction by the expenditure of vas
/ sums of money In these states, and tn,
use OF American products and manufac
: lures would be likely to continue aftei
the completion OF the work. to the bene
fit of our manufacturing. agriculture
! and other interests.
, Nicaragua the Healthier.
The Nicaragua route lies in a regio,
: of sparse population and not In a path
way of much trade or movement Of PEG
pie. Conditions productive of much sick
! ness do not exist. On the other hand.
= considerable population has long existe,
on the Panama route and II lies on
pathway of comparatively large trade
along which currents of moving peopi
: from Infected places sometimes converge
I thus creating conditions favorable I,
epidemics. Existing conditions lndicat
I hygienic advantages for the Nicaragu,
route, although It IL probable that n,
. less effective sanitary measures must b
I taken during construction I'm tho ono COS