The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-10
THE lSTHMIAN CANAL
TIE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION
LAlD BEFORE CONGRESS.
NICARAGUAN ROUTE ENDORSED
This Canal Longer n More Expensive
to Construct Than the Panama, But
More Advantageous to Commerce in
the Saving of Time-Great Cost TO OBJ
tain the Panama Concession-Other
Comparisons Made Minority Report
by Commissioner Morrison
by Commissioners Morrison

Washington. December THE report
OF the isthmian canal commission was
sent to congress today.
The commission, as anticipated sew
eral weeks ago, favors the Nicaragua
route and makes an estimate OF $780,
364, 062 as the total cost Of construction
of the canal through Nicaragua.
The estimated cost Of the Panama
route is s144, 233, 1853, but the report says
it would cost s1O9, 141,o0O to obtain the
Panama concession. The commission
values the work one at $40, 900, 600. The
report says the Panam route is feas-
ible as a sea level canal while the
Nicaragua route must be by locks, but
lax Nicaragua will furnish an mex
haustible supply of water for the canal.
The Nicaragua route has no natural
harbOrs at either end, but satisfactory
harbors may be constructed. Harbors
already exist at each end of the Pana-
ma route, but considerable work must
be lone at the entrance of the harbor
on the Atlantic side
With adequate force and plant the
commission estimates that the Nicar-
auga canal can be completed in six
years, exclusive of two years for prep
aratiOn. Ten years is estimated to
complete the Panama M
The total length of the Nicaragua
route is 1885 miles, and the Panama
route is 1900 miles
The estimated cost OF operating and
maintaining the Nicaragua canal an
nually is 81, $500 o greater than that of
the Panama canal.
The estimated time for a deep
draught vessel to pass through the
Panama canal is twelve hours and
through Nicaragua canal ~thirty-three
hours.
The Nicaragua route. the report says,
Is more advantageous for
save that originating on the west coast
OF South America. For the gulf ports
the advantage is two days. and for
most of the ports in the Atlantic and
Pacific one day. The Nicaragua route
is said to be better for sailing vessels
on account of favOring winds. HygieniC
conditions also favor Nicaragua. The
commission says the United States
should acquire control of a strip Of ter
ritOry ten miles wide from sea to sea
to build the canal.
The consent of Nicaragua and Costa
RIGA must be obtained to construct the
canal. but the report says this can
granted by the Colombian government
to the Panama Canal Company have
many years to run and new concessions
cannot be granted the United States
The report concludes as follows:
After considering all the facts de-
YelOped 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
Cam Company, this commission is OF
the opinion that the most prac-
ticable and feasible route for an 18TH
milan canal, to be under control. man
agement and ownership of the United
States is that known as the Nicaragua
route"
George S. Morrison. d member of the
commission. submits n minority repor
~favOring the Panama route. He say!
the estimates for the Nicaragua cana
do not make sufficient provisions fol
unknown conditions and contingencies
No consideration. he says, has beer
given to accidental interruption O.
traffic by Nicaragua which he think
would not be so likely to occur at Pana
ma. He believes that better conditions
and terms can be arranged through tn
acquisition of the Panama Canal Com
pany's rights. han by any negotiation
with Nicaragua and Costa Rica. TIL,
government after securing these rights
he says, could negotiate direct with Co
IOmbia for the right to construct tn,
canal. He closes by saying:
The Panama route has advantage
owe the Nicaragua route in the cos
of construction, in cost of operation
and in convenience when done, Will
it's use is less likely to lead to local in
ed States government is to build a
isthmian canal, the Panama route i
the best"