The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-06-28

~ RNOHAO VI VIZ 0AANNN f@NNeN'
demand a ship canal through some
point of Central America Both
political parties have declared for it
in their platforms. The democratic
platform demands the Nicaragua
route, and we believe the people of
the country generally want this canal
in preference to the Panama route.
Several good reasons can be given for
this preference. One is that the |
Nicaragua route is several hundred |
miles north of Panama. The Near
aqua canal can be built 10 four years;
the least possible time for the Panama
canal is eight years. The Nicaragua
route, while 1S0 miles long, has no
great mountain to cut, and one-third
of the distance is through lake.
The panama route has been in use for
years, but is not complete, and a vast
mountain ridge of granite isIto be
cut through. The two routes will
cost about the same amount Of
money. The Panama route Is under
the control of French syndicate,
which cannot give a good title, but
demands forty million dollars foritS
franchise. to p sl @.'ff y lno
This being the situation, 1t is un5
fortunate that there is no nnanimity
on question of such tremendous inn
portance. But the house has declared
in favor Of Nicaragua and the senate
10 favor of Panama, BY some it is
thought that the outcome Of the
matter will be that the president will
have the whole matter placed in his
charge. This is what congress want
ed to do in the first place but the
president thought it should assume at
least a large share of the respon-
, sibility Of the matter and having
, incurred it by practically shifting 1t,
the president will probably be left
free TO make the best choice war
, ranted by the circumstances.
All Of the many proposed routes
. have been eliminated from the dis
cusslon excepting the Panama and the
: Nicaragua routes. That the congress
should lock horns on the choice i
evidence that there are strong argu
: ments ON both sides. And there are
: Each route has advantages which ar,
e conclusive until one contemplates tn
e advantages Of the other and each ha
It very serious objections.
), The Panama canal will be 40 O
y miles long. 1t willcoSt about sl95,
x 900, 900. 1t cannot be completes
e under eight years ana
/ The Nicaragua canal will be 1873, 8
IS miles long 1t viii cost about 5000.
900, 900 and the most difficult probler
connected with its construction wi,
Z not require more than four years. 81
These are the framework of th
!. skeleton representing the difference
!. between the two routes. Upon eac
J, of them has been hung vast ARA
! Of facts, circumstances, condition
and minor considerations which in tt
minds Of their adherents entltle I'll
~ particular route to the choice.
" There are some tremendous engiI
be eering difficulties connected with IL
Panama canal. This route begins
as Panama, at the mouth Of the Chagr'
le river which is typical tropical to
cd rental estuary, It is liable to Ri
forty feet in a day and few years al
it destroyed 10 few hours the wol
of a number of years. The plans
= thenew Panama company coutempla
+ the damming Of this river and its CO.
version into lake made seIyiceab
r. by a series Of locks. The riy
be had been heartily damned MAI
he times before, but this is the mo
practical attempt 10 that dlrectio
AS AS soon as the engineers got throul
81 with the Chagres problem they we
confronted with the most glgant
Of all. the great Celebra cut, whe
4Y tbe canal must be dug for miles 3
" feet deep A tremendous dam
4 Boca San Carlos Is the third proble
ia which is apparently lnspperable, T
lay canal extends in meanderlng b
generally southwesterly direction frC