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

6fths done, but the canal commission
gave it as It's opinion that the peculiar
engineering difficulties of the project
we're such that eight years would be
required to overcome them, while the
Nicaragua canal could be completed
within four years. The commission !
unanimously recommended the Near
aqua route. 1t estimated the value
of the work done by the new and old |
Panama companies at 1000, OOO |
The United States pays $40, 600, OOO-
or will pay that sum if the new com
pany can show a clear title to the
goods.
The expense of operating the two
canals is an interesting feature of the
discussion. 1t is figured that it will
cost s2OOO,OoO year to "run" the
Panama canal, while the Nicaragua
route would cost SO, $50, 600.
After all, the one great feature is
the element Of ultimate benefit. The
United States is losing immense sums
every year in being deprived of
Oriental trade which it would secure
if there was canal. Time is a very
important item. The Orient is
waking up. Every nation in the
world is sending out drummers to
catch the awakening japanese and
Chinese and Philippine trade. Many
take the view that it is no time for
hagging. A few hundred million
dollars would be regarded as wisely
4 invested if few years were gained
thereby in this strenuous race after
the trade Of the East. The canal is
not to be a money-maker, though
there are many who think it could
pay handsome dividend on even its
cost from sl45, 900, 900 to $500, 600, 900.
But the development of the industries
of the United States is regarded as o.
vastly more Importance than the
matter of revenues,
In the consideration of the trade
channels which the two routes vii
open up, there is very materia
advantage in favor of Nicaragua. i
is by far the more advantageOu
route for all trans-isthmian commerc,
except that originating or ending Oh
the west coast Of South America
The Panama route is Of course th
better for that trade, being so mucl
= nearer. For that trade in which thi
country is most interested, tina
between the Pacific and Atlantic
European and American, the Nicar
aqua route is shorter by whole day
Between the Atlantic and the Orien
: day is saved over the Panam
route. For Gulf ports it is shorte
: by two days. For North Atlanti
: ports and west coast Of South Americ
the Panama route is shorter by tw
" days. II is one day nearer to th
Gulf ports and the west coast
= South America. sHH 81 Q9
g The Nicaragua route is more favo
~ able for sailing vessels, owing to I'll
y uncertain winds prevailing in IL
ie Bay Of Panama. This is, howeye
. an immaterlal consideration, slnC
oe sailing vessels are being rapid
" displaced by steamships.
~ Just as Nicaragua had made out
4 pretty good showing and had prove
q that it reached the trade we wantt
" to reach a day sooner even If 1t d
cost $50, 900, 900 more and was thr'
= and one-half times as long as its riva
the Panama people started RUM
= that Nicaragua was land Of cart
= quakes Possibly the senate got a
. prehensive, having Mont Pelee al
~ the Sulphur mine 10 mind, and decide
on Panama TO be on the safe sid
- But it is stated on good seism
y authority that the Panama rou
81 lies along the line of an almost 90
- tinuous volcanic tract, c9ntaiuil
some OF the most obstrepero
'scraterSn ia the western hemispher
:" Nicaragua stock has gone down a fe
= points since this phase OF the stu
'' tlon has been exploited, but there
= not believed to be any great fear
this score.
,b Friends in this city have receiv
OF the following announcement; IN
les and Mrs. Robert Peyton Ia
lie announce the marriage Of The
ed daughter, Erances Page, to I