The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-12-11
CANAL COMMISSION
FAVORS NICARAGUA ROUTE.
Cost Of Building Estimated at
sl9o, 900, ,oOo---AilI Take Eight
Years TO Complete Ditch.

Washington, Dec. 4-The report Of
the Isthmian Canal commission was
sent to congress today, the commis-
sion, as anticipated several weeks ago,
faVorg the Nicaragua route and makes
an estimate of sl89, 1854, ,062 as the total
cost of construction Of the canal
through Nicaragua. The estimated
cost Of the Panama route is s1l4 4233,-
358, bnt the report says it would cost
500, ,141, 900 to obtain the Panama
concession. The commission value
the work done at $40, 600, 600. The
report says the Panama route is feas-
ible as sea level canal while the
Nicaragua route must be by locks, but.
Lake Nicaragua will furnish an mex
shaustible supply of water for the.
canal. The Nicaragua route has no
natural harbors at either end, but
satisfactory harbors may be construct
ed. Harbors already exist at each.
end of the Panama route, but consid-
:erable work must be done at the en-
trance of the harbor on the Atlantic.
side. With adequate force and plant
the commission estimate that the
Nicaragua canal can be completed in.
six years exclusive of two years for.
preparation. Ten years is estimated
to complete the Panama canal. The
total length of the Nicaragua route is
1873. &C. miles and the Panama route
1900 miles. The estimated cost Of
operating and maintaining the Nicara-
qua canal annually is 81, $50, 600 great.
ser than that of the Panama canal.
The estimated time for deep draught
vessel to pass through the Panama
canal is 12 hours and through Nicara
qua canal SO hours.
The Nicaragua route, the report
says, is more advantageous for com
merce, save that originating on the
west coast of South America. For
the gulf ports in the Atlantic and
Pacific, one day. The Nicaragua
route is said to be better for sailing
vessels, on account Of favoring winds.
sHygenic conditions also favor Nicara-
qua. The commission says the United
States should acquire control of a
strip of territory ten miles wide from
sea to sea to build the canal. The con-
sent Of Nicaragua and Costa Rica
must be obtained to construct the
canal, but the report says this canal
easily be secured. The concessions
granted by the Colombian government
to the Panama Canal company have
manysyears to run and new conces-
sionsc can not be granted to the Uni
tedrstates. The report concludes as
follows:
q After considering all the facts
sdeye1oped by the Investigations made
BY the commission, the actual situa-
ton as It now stands, and having IN.
view the terms offered by the
New Panama Canal company this
commission is Of the opinion that the
most practicable and feasible route for
an isthmian canal to be under control,
management and ownership of the Uni
ted States-is that known as the
Nicaragua route. y
Geo. IS. Morrison, a member Of the
commission, submits report favoring
the Panama route. He says the estl-#
mates for the Nicaragua canal do not
make sufficient provisions for un-
known conditions and contingencies.
No conside he says, has been
given to accidental interruption Of
I'll dluC Dy uea, VIM sHS soAAA41A3'
would not be so likely to occur at
Panama. He believes that better con-
ditions aud terms can be arranged
through the acquisition of the Pan
anna Canal company's rights than by
any negotiations with Nicaragua and
Costa Rica. The government, after
securing the rights, he says. could ne
gotiate direct with Colombia for the
right to construct the canal. He clos
ed by saying
The Panama route has advantages
over the Nicaragua route in cost of
construction, in cost of operation and
in convenience wien done, while its
use is less likely to lead to local IN
ternational complications. If the
United States government is to build
an isthmian canal the Panama route is
the best.
TWO cANALB1LLs INTRODUCED.
Washington. D. G., Dec. 1.-Two
bills looking to the construction Of an
isthmian canal via the Nicaragua route
were today introduced in the senate.
The first Of these was presented by
Senator Morgan and provides that the
president be authorized to acquire
from ard 10 cono1nde aoreement With