The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-25

sidered to be the only one possible Of
realization, and. consequently as the only
one dangerous TO the transcontineutal
railways.
And thus we come to what I have cali
cd the financial pTCjUdiCC-that financial
prejudice OF which the popular prejudice
is merely the unconscious reflection.
The railroad kings imagine that the
canal would interfere very seriously with
the traffic on their great transcontinental
lines. freight from the Atlantic to the
Pacific Coast and vice versa being ship
ped by sea instead of overland.
II such a conflict OF interests really ex-
istcd between the canal and the transcon-
tinental railroads il would be necessary.
Tor the present at least, to mourn for
the canal as dead.
The power Of the Trusts Of the
families at their head is so vast that il
is impossible for the American State to
enter into conflict with them
But IL is possible that the interest Of
those holding the railroads is. in reality.
only apparently opposed to the construc-
ton Of the canal, and that a less hurried
judgment, more careful ANALYSIS. would
show the masters of the American democ-
racy that they are frightened by a foolish
phantom.
Yes. the canal would damage the rail
roads II the latter's chief traffic were
from one coast TO the other. if their
pFohts came from the transportation of
freight from New York to san Francisco
Would Benefit the Railroads.
But that is not quite he case. The
greater part Of the tragc. almost the
whole OF the traffic is between cities in
the interior and the ports on one OF the
other coast and inverseIy. This traffic
would neither be killed nor lesseued by
the canal Far from that. il would be
increased, because il would develop the
activity Of the ports and as conse-
quence their commerce with the interior
1T can be stated therefore that the
canal VIII be favorable rather than in
furious 10 the interests Of the railroad
kings. The day these latter perceive this
they VIII cease to lead public opinion
astray in regard TO the impossible ca
mai They themselves viii become the
advocates Of the only canal possible
and from that day the negotiations be-
tween the French Panama COMPANY and
the United Staes will succeed.
inns VIII benefit the French sharehoId-
ers- VINO VII thus obtain some compeuss
ton, a modest one. no doubt but tangible
for their undeserved losses.
1t VIII. above all. benefit America and
France. and that. confess. is what /
chieuy consider. The United States OF
America would not De a great nation il
u should sacrifice 20 the blind egotism Of
a rev individuals and TO private interests.
not well understood, an enterprise of
. general utility and OF high political in
teTeSt-
The completion Of the Panama Canal
would transform the face OF the world
would change the highways Of the globe
a second time. as they were changed once
/ before b. the cutting Of the Isthmus OF
Suez.
And it would indeed be something for
the American people were that done by
Americas strong hands. for the glory and
the proht Of the United States Of North
America
Again, all those who cherish the dream
I OF an intimate union between the French
and American democracies will rejoice to
Z see an undertaking begun by France,
/ taken up and carried TO a successful ter
minatiOn by the United States
The cutting Of the Isthmus OF Panama
/ IS marked with our imprint by the genius
/ OF Ferdinand de Lesseps. a generous IL
I fusion OF our race, by a sacrifice OF our
material interests, and even by a tragic
crisis IN our national life. Let America
/ inscribe its name there alongside our
l own; and the two nations will count in
| their history another common page
Along with the brotherhood of arms
OF the War OF independence we shall be
able 10 invoke a new brotherhood, AMI
that perhaps will aid us TO continue the
/ alliance of the two great Republics Of the
/ Old and the New World against coalitions
which should be foreseen and rendered
/ impotent
"COMTE DE CASTELLANE.
"Depute."
The communication from Count de Cas-
tellane has aroused considerable com
ment here.