The Washington times., 1903-09-20
United States Engineers
Make Another Report
That Kills Plan.
DAM IS NOT FEASIBLE
Friends of the Panama Route
Still Sanguine That a
Treaty Is 10 Be Signed.

Although the Hay-Herran treaty VIII
be dead letter next Tuesday. friends OF
the Panama route who have an intimate
knowledge OF the canal situation are
not worried over the prospective death
of the original treaty. In the meantime
United States engineers have made re-
port that kills the Nicaragua canal
DIR. Herran, Colombian charge, is in
constant communication with the Bogosa
government concerning a new canal
proposition which has been presented
by him TO the State Department This
measure is similar to the original treaty
in many respects. but lacks some OF the
features which were Objectionable 20
Colombia. Ii involves no larger cxpcdi-
ture of money on the part of the United
States
No extension of time for the ratifca-
tion of the Hay-Herran treaty viii be
asked. Neither is the Administration
making preparations TO negotiate for he
Nicaraguan route The President has
said the Panama route is known 10 .e
far more. desirable and is believed to be
favorable to the new proposition srb-
mitted by the Colombian government.
Views of Visitor,
Secretary Hay expected to return to
Washington, but It was reported last
night that he probably will not come
to Washington from his New Hampshire
home for at least two weeks. This Is
regarded as an indication that there is
nothing In canal negotiations which de-
mands his immediate attention.
DR.. Herran had a long conference last
night with Adolph vogt, who has extern
sive mining interests in the state of
cauca, Colombia. and left there on Sep
tember 3 for the United States.
Mr. Vogt crossed the isthmus on his
way to this country. and confirms the
reports that there is great dissatisfac-
tion there with the attitude OF the cen
tral government toward the Hay-Herran
treaty, but he says he does not believe
a revolution likely.
Residents OF Colombia are said by
Mr.. Vogt TO have no fear that the
United States will take the Nicaraguan
route. as this is through a country said
TO be much less desirable from a com
mercial point of view.
Colombia Is one of the richest coun-
tries in the world" he said. "Its min
erals are practically untouched. and its
forests and agricultural lands are crying
for American enterprise and American
capital" said Mr.. Vogt THE Pacific
Coast offers wealth of all sorts, which
will be developed as soon as the canal
l. A l.
made"
Mr.. Yogt came TO Washington to see
Mr. Herran. who is interested In enter
prises under the direction OF Mr. vogt
He is going to Paris He Is not con-
nected with the Colombian government.
Information which comes from
source that cannot be questioned shows
that the report on the two routes, in
which the isthmisn commission declared
that both were feasible. has not been
supported by subsequent surveys of he
Nicaraguan route which were made by
engineers OF this Government
Sand Under Dam.
These engineers have made a report
showing that the proposed Conchuda dam
presents engineering difficulties impossi-
BILE 10 overcome. II is declared by per
sons who know that quicksand has ie..n
found at every point where the dam has
beeL proposed, and that a firm founda-
tion Is apparently out of the question.
The effect of this discovery is TO upset
ever, estimate OF cost that has been
prepared.
President Roosevelt has been informed
OF these conditions. which were not
known 10 exist al the time Congress in
structed him. IL unable 10 obtain the
necessary authority from the Panama
Canal Company and the Colombian gov
ernment. TO construct the canal in Mica
raueua. II is said that the President
rhen declared that a Panama Canal
never need have fear OF a rival: that the
routS across Panama was the only one
feasible. and IL the canal we're built
there no company or country could az
ford to enter into competition.