The Washington times., 1902-01-27
CANAL SHOULD
BE SEA LEVEL
This Argument Advanced by
Nathan Appleton.
OBJECTIONS RAISED TO THE LOCKS
Friend and Associate of De Lesseps
Discusses the Proposed 18TH
minn Waterway.

NEW YORK. Jan. 26.-Nathan Appleton.
friend and long associate Of Ferdinand de
Lesseps. and delegate from the American
Geographical Society to the Isthmian
Canal Congress In Paris in 1879, has just
returned from Europe, where he has re-
sided for many years. Mr.. Appleton is
regarded as especially qualified to speak
on the canal question, and he gives his
views in these words:
THE only satisfactory solution of the
canal problem is a sea-level canal with
out any locks, from the Atlantic to the
Pacific; in fact, a deep ditch. like the
SueZ Canal | was much gratified to note
that Senator Chauncey NJ Depew in his
first interview on his return from Europe
said that, in his mind, Panama was the
best route.
Reasons FavOrinG Panama.
There are many reasons why the Pan
anna route should be adopted. One reason
is that it will avoid the danger of earth
quakes. Another is the growing increase
of lengths for ocean steamships and the
projected enlargement of our war yes
sells. With locks once established there
would be forever a limit to the size of
vessels passing through the canal.
''Vividly do l recall my last interview
with De Lesseps, the great French engi-
neer. 1t was in Paris in September. 1887.
had taken luncheon at his home, and We
drove together to the offices of Suez and
Panama. There he told me that he had
accepted the plan of locks, or huge iron
and on the score of economy, and that as
soon as the Panama Canal was in sue
cessful operation, and receipts were COM
ing in from traffic, these locks would be
removed. two by two, from the highest to
the lowest levels, until the channel should
be what he believed to be the only one
capable of meeting the demands of COM
merce and navigation for all time-'uD
canal a niveau.
''Ill health debars me from going to
Washington to present facts and argu-
ments in favor of the Panama route. but
the matter being of such vital national
importance l avail myself of the cour-
tesy of the press to present my views
briefly.
THE IsthmiGn Canal Commission has
reported that sea-level canal is prac-
tical at Panama, though it has not rec
commended it. In Nicaragua, where the
great lake is more than 100 feet above
the level of either ocean, a canal without
locks is not to be thought Of At the
Canal Congress in Paris in 1879 an ex-
haustive study was made Of the question
in all its bearings. The result was an
Affirmative collective opinion that canal
With locks was feasible both at Panama
and Nicaragua, but that for many reasons
Panama was preferable for this kind Of
canal. 1t was, however, shown that at
Panama a sea-level canal could be cut
through the isthmus, and it was FOR this
plan that the congress voted by a very
large majority. and NJ. de Lesseps then
announced that he would form a company.
Beginning of the Canal.
This was the real beginning of the
Panama Canal. and there is no difficulty
now In completing it on the lines of it's
great protector Should a canal with
locks be built at Panama, there is little
or no doubt that in the not far distant fu-
ture it will be dug down sufficiently be-
low the level of the two oceans to accom-
modate steamships and naval vessels of
the longest lengths and greatest draughts.
Much better not TO waste time and money
at the outset on locks. which must even
tually be abandoned and destroyed
ITO my mind it will be best as the
initial step, for the United States Gov
ernment or a private company to buy
ont the old and new Panama companies
A fair price would be $50. 900, 000 The