Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-25
Copyright. 1902. by Frank G.. Carpenter.)
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IS9EG|

- NnCTe snail we Dullu our great
IS4}EGyI canal across the isthmus? The
- answer to this is given in the
following interviews with the ministers
from the countries of the principal routes.
Each man thinks his government has the
best proposition and each has little good
to say of the scheme OF the other. But l
shall let the diplomats speak for them
selves.
My first interview was with the minister
from Nicaragua. His excellenCy's name is
Senior Luis f. Corea. lie is a highly edu-
Gated Central American, who, during his
residence in Washington, has acquired the
English tongue, 80 that it was in English
that our conversation was held. Said Senior
Corea:
There Is no question but that the best
route for the canal Is the Nicaraguan route.
Your engineers have so decided, and it
seems to me that all the arguments, both
sanitary and financial, are in its favor. By
Nicaragua your Pacific and Atlantic states
are nearer each other by two days than
they would be at Panama. A canal there
could be more easily maintained, and in the
end it would be far cheaper than the Pan
anna route"
'The Panama advocates make different
claims" said l..
res replied Senior Corea. at is easy
to make any sort of a claim, but more diff
fcult to support it by facts. Let us look
at the facts. The Panama Canal company
has already spent $3.50 ,000, 900 and 1t has
completed about one-fourth Of the under
taking. 1t is willing to sell that fourth to
the United States for $40, OOO, 900, but after
the United States has bought 1t 1t has
three-fourths Of the canal to make. At the
same rate as the first fourth the expense
would be 1920, OOO, 900. 1t might be done for
less, but the cost will be enormous.
Our Gold Goes to France
There Is one thing" continued Senior Co
rea, that | have not seen mentioned In the
consideration of this Panama proposition.
The United States is, | know, the richest
country of the world. but can it afford to
take $40, 600, 600 right out of it's circulation
and give ii to France. II this deal Is made
your government will have to pay $40, OO0,-
GOO to the French and you will have moth
ing in return for 1t but the chance to spend
hundred of millions more. II you take up
the Nicaragua canal you will have to spend
less money eventually and the greater part
Of the money will remain right here. 1t will
all go toward the purchase of American
machinery and supplies with the exception
Of the comparatively small amount paid out
for wages"
but the same will be true of the Pan
anna canal, will 1t not?"
ITO some extent, but nothing like tn,
amount which will go into American peck
cts in the construction of the Nicaragua
canal. The labor cost at Panama will
be far greater than at Nicaragua. The eX
travagance OF tho French has ruined labo
conditions there. You will not be able t
get workmen for less than 81 per day, Will
at Nicaragua they will not cost more thai
so cents per day This means that we cal
save you three-fourths Of the labor ex
pense Of the work. Our labor is better thaI
that of Panama. We have the Indians, wn
are easily managed; they live upon llttl
and consequently can work at low wages
They will not be walking delegates to incit
trouble among the Jamaicans and othe
West Indians, whom you import to hel
along the work"
Nicaragua Rendy for United states.
but would it not take some time to pre-
pare for work upon the Nicaraguan canal
You would have to build railroads and pu
up towns, would you not?
Not at all, - replied Senior Corea. "Ther
are towns and cities now along the rout
of the canal. Lake Nicaragua has man
thriving settlements upon it's banks, an
the country about 1t is rich in plantat or