The San Francisco call., 1901-12-05
FAVORS ROUTE
IN NICARAGUA
Isthmian Canal Commits
sion Sends Report to
Congress.
Eight Years and Nearly Two
Hundred Millions
Needed.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-The report of
the Isthmian Canal Commission was sent
to Congress to-day. The commission. as
anticipated several weeks ago, favors the
Nicaragua route and makes an estimate
OF $lss ,e64 ,O62 as the total cost of constr1c-
ion Of the canal through Nicaragua. The
estimated cost Of the Panama route is
Sl44.zSo,ooS, but. the report says, it would
cost SlVs,l4lOOO to obtain the Panama con-
eesslon. The commission values the work
done at $40 ,000. .000
The report says the Panama route is
IeaslDIe as q sea level canal while the
Nicaragua route must be by locks but
Lake nicaragua viii furnish an inexhaus-
S-oIe supply OF water for the canal. The
nicaragua route has no natural harbors
az either end, but satisfactory harbors
may be constructed. Harbors already .ex-
1st at each end of the Panama route bur
considerable work must be done al the
side.
With adequate force and plant the COM
mission estimates that the Nicaragua ca
na4 can be completed in six years, exclu-
sINe OF TWO years for preparation. Ten
years Is estimated to complete the Pana-
ma canal. The total length Of the Nicara-
qua route is 1886 miles and the Panama
route 1900 miles. The estimated cost of
operating and maintaining the Nicaragua
canal annually is $3.50, 900 greater than
that Of the Panama canal.
The estimated time for a deep draught
vessel 10 pass through the Panama canal
canal thirty-three hours. The Nicaragua
route, the report says, is more advanta-
SeOUS Tor commerce, save that Originat-
ing on the west coast of South America.
For the Gulf ports the advantage is two
days and for most Of the ports on the
Atlantic and Pacific one day. The Mica
Ta6ua route is said to be better for sail
ms vessels on account of fayoring winds.
v HNSlenlc conditions also favor Nicaragua
The commission says the United States
Should acquire control of a strip of terri
tory ten mees wide from sea to sea
through which TO build the canal The
consent OF Nicaragua and Costa Rica
must be obtained TO construct the canal
but the report says this can easily be Sc
cured. The concessions granted by the
Colombian Government to the Panama
Canal Company have many years to run
the United States. The report concludes
as follows:
After considering all the facts developed by
the Investigations made by the commission the
actual condition as il stands, and having
considered the terms offered by the new Pan
tnaC I1e most practical and feasible route for
g canal, TO be under the control. management
and ownership Of the United States. is that
known as the Nicaragua route
George S. Morrison, a member Of the
commission, submits a minority report
estimates for the Nicaraguan canal do
not make sufficient provisions for un-
known conditions and contingencies. He
closes by saying:
The Panama route has advantages over the
Nicaragua route in cost Of construction IN cost
OF operation and in convenience when done.
Mlle Us local use Is less likely TO lead TO local
International complications. If the United
States Government is TO build an isthmian
canal the Panama route is the best.