The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-01-24
RATHER INVOLVED AT PRESENT
BUT CONGRESS Is EXPECTED
TO SOLVE 1T
LAST REPORT CAUSES TROUBLE
Advocates of Nicaragua Route Will
Have Opportunity to Prove Their
Intense Desire for an
ISthmian Canal.
DARIEN SCHEME MEANS DELAY
FROM THE GLOBE BUREAU,
washington. d. c.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S-Why every
bouy should have jumped at tka ctuclu-
Hicn that the reversal of the isthmian
canal commissions recommendations
necessarily meant that there would be
no canal legislation at the present session
of congress, is net easy to see. OF
course the first effects of a square recon-
mendauon, signed by every member of
the commission in favor of the accept
ance of the French offer, was somewhat
puzZnng, after years of agitation in be-
half of Nicaragua. The Maritime Canal
company doubtless contributed largely
10 the education of the American people
TO q preference for the Nicaraguan
route; then somebody wrapped an Ameri-
ran fag about this more northerly line,
bnd so made it the part OF patriotism to
cheer for it. When the preliminary re-
port of the present commission was
made, little more than a year ago. 1t
was currently remarked here that polit-
1cal eXpediency required recommended
ton in behalf of Nicaragua; the Pacific
coast, it was said would lose confidence
in the commission if it found for any
other route. The report submitted to
congress on Monday is the first recon-
mendation of the Panama route from
any official source, in many years, and
naturally it does not at once overcome
the momentum Of long agitation in be-
half of the other route
Up to Nicaragua Advocates.
While it viii take some time for con
gress to adjust itself 70 the new situation
there is little reason to believe that it
VIII not dc so. If the Nicaraguan ad-
Nocates are so eager for immediate ac-
tion, as they have alleged let them vote
for Panama. The responsibility for delay
VIII now be upon them.
to Panama is so extreme as to be ride
ulous, and will ALLEVIATE support from his
cause rather than win it. The idea
that the United States government
should not buy the French properties
because OF t11e loss that would fall upon
French stockholders in selling out SO
cheap, is peculiar altruism, in view Of the
fact that these same Frenchmen would
lose about S40G00,000 more in case We de-
cline to do SO.
The movement which really makes for
delay is he discussion Of the Darien
route, through the backbone of the An
des, by means of q tunnel at the tide
water level. This project has a certain
attractiveness. Such a canal might be
almost as straight as an arrow; it need
have no locks beyond regulating works
on the Pacific side, and the delay in a
ships getting from ocean to ocean
would be reduced to a minimum But
the present commission believes that no
one knows the feasibility of that route
enough to say that a canal could actu-
ally be built over it.
Moreover the cost Of excavating rock
below the sea level to depth of thirty
five feet, as of course tide water canal
requires, would be enormous.
Darien Route Involves Delay.
Two years for investigation is the first
requirement of the Darien route. All
who advocate it lay themselves open
clearly to the charge of delaying the
construction Of a canal, and that is the
unpardonable sin in the congressional
mind; it is what has prevented consider
alton of Panama in the past, and What
was relied upon to railroad the Hepburn
bill through the house. Now all mem
bers who want delay for any reason, will
advocate an investigation of the Darlen
project, or continue stubbornly to vote
for Nicaragua.
Meanwhile congress ought to know
what is to be done on the canal before
passing another revenue reduction bill
p Were SO, 900 to be paid to the French
company, and work to begin straightWay
on the completion Of it's work, there
would need to be considerable less re-
ductiOn of income than through some
other route or 10 route at all were to be
accented.