The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-16
EFFECT or THE CANAL.

EFFECT OF THE CANAL.
It's influence Upon the Trade OF West South
America.
Prof. Emory r. johnson, Assistant Pro-
lessor OF Transportation and Commerce
In the University OF Pennsylvania and a
member Of the Isthmian Canal Commission,
has an article In The journal Of Geography
on the influence which an Isthminn canal
will nave on the trade and industries OF
west South America. Prof. johnson spent
two years on the commission as an expert
In commerce and transportation. studying
the effects which the canal will nave upon
our relations with the world at large.
He notes the fact that the Pacific frontage
Of South America has more than double
the population and area Of our Pacific
Coast States Of California, Oregon and
Washington, but while our Pacific slope
has the advantage Of seven transconti-
neutal railroads, the Pacific Coast Of South
America has but one and that is not quite
completed. It's foreign and.
also its domestic trade to a large extent
are dependent upon inadequate and
circuitous water transportation. The
Panama Railroad has been Of comparatively
small Importance to the trade OF South
America, because the cost Of transship-
ment at the isthmus and the high freight
rates limit the use Of this route mainly TO
passenger traffic and articles that need
quick transportation. Cheaper freight
takes the longer route around the continent.
Industrial development on the west coast
requires transporting agencies that can
proftnbly and cheaply move such COM
moditics as coal. iron and other ores, grain.
&c. The Panama Railroad cannot do this
and such commodities, II movcd at all, have
70 20 THROUGH the Straits of Magellan or
around the Horn.
The great distance TO be traversed by
ships between the North Atlantic coast
and the west coast OF South America has
caused the Of those countries,
until recently. TO depend chiefly upon
sailing vessels. Steam connections, now
introduced to some extent, promise better
facilities, especially alter the completion
Of the canal. Callao, Peru, is now farther
by steam from New York than the South
Pole: but an lsthmian clnal will bring
Callao at least l 600 miles i.earer New York
by steam tlan San Francisco will then he.
As the present difficulties OF traisporta-
ton restrict travel, tie people of the United
Nldlt hlAu iAANl' AAh'' ~ ~ 49,
that acquaintance with the people and
trade conditions Of western South America
needed to reveal commercial reeds and
establish prosperous commercial exchanges.
The canal viii facilitate the growth of
knowledge arc intimacy which sill re-
move mistrust and encourage trade.
The United States will derive a special
advantage from the shortening OF the
prosCLt roui.d-about route TO west south
America. Because Of the present route
- ~, - - I, a,s th. TRAIN. - tlN unat
coast is mainly With Lurope. Sailing
vessels bound from New York for west
South America must go east hearty 10 tie
CaLaries 30 as 10 take advantage OF the
trade WINDS aid get past cape 81. Rogue
on the coast Of Brazil. The European
sailor goes directly past the CaEaries and
has an advantage OF ten days over tie
American ia the voyage 10 any part oil
South America, south or west of tine eastern
pOi;.t of Brazil.
But on TIE opening Of the canal there
viii Dc q change Of front toward tie Gifted
States. Our porte will tLen have IRON
?,U,J TO 5000 mil.s advantage over Europe
ia the Journey 10 tic west coast, Whcr,ds
Ht present. tie distance iron. Sew lOrk
md IN G ports OF the II Elish Chaunc TO
that part Of the world are ieariy equal.
tho southern cit es Of Europe having a
slight duvaltagy over our Atlantic ports.
The small part Of our trade that has not
gone by sali has gon 10y steamer 10 Panama
loI iTulNUliillciti 10 the TWO ill4t~ bl SltdilitIS
going down the west coast, Incsc lines
have combined To keep The rate at such a
figure that for most of tEe time during
the last thirt y-fivC years II has bccu cheaper
10 ship American goods 10 south America
via England or Germany. IL has uttca
cost the Amer, an shipper from 20 To 80
per cent. more TO scId freight 500 miles
direct 10 western South AmeiIca by Panama
than 10 send IL 900 TALES Indirectly by
way OF Europe. shipping around the
II,ry lao ean - 50 eI,N. aud iTTnuilIor uG IN
prevent the dcyclopmel., of a satisfactory
commerce. Our share in the trade Of the
west coast OF South America has, there
fore, not been gratifying.
Since 1890 two American companies
have been running chartered British vessels
around 10 Guayaquil, Ecuador. during
which period tho value q our exports TO
tine wcst coast has inorens@d 10 per cent.
The steamer is rapidly taking the place OF
the sailing vessel: but sfen! - nom New
York have not given our manufacturers an
even chance with those OF Europe. our
merchants complain that the New YORK
steamers charge higher rates than those
from Europe and nearly as hlsh as tne
Glwavs leave Now York full loaded with
exDorf trrdp. and more vessels are beli x
added to the fleets. This suggests what
NAV be expected 70 ooCrF Nhel nc cmhi
and more lines Of steamer give shorter and
better means If communication
The future trade between our east coast
and The west coast Of South America will
have the advantage Of a heavy TRAFFIC boil,
wavs Our trade 20 South America VIII
show M Increased expectation OF iron,
cotton, foodstufs and probably coal, ana
these c~ommodities VIII be exchanged lot
Peruvian sugar, Chilean nitrate, ores ara
heavy produce so ina, vessT1Si vii be an
advantage both 20 the steamship companies
and the shippers