Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-04-04

to the canal property for 100 years,
with the privilege of having the lease
perpetualIy renewed. Colombia agrees
not to lease or sell to any foreign gov
eminent any lands for the purpose of
establishing Notifications or coaling
stations or other works that might in
terfere with the construction or main
tenance of the canal
Should it become necessary to employ
armed force to protect the canal Colon
bia agrees to provide such force, but if
unable to do so the United States will
provide the forces necessary.
A joint commission of the two gov
ernments is to establish and enforce
police and sanitary regulations. Au-
thOrity to regulate the use of the canal,
railways, the entering ports and auXil-
larry works rests with the United
States.
Thus, after nearly half a century of
controversy. manipulation and fnan-
ciering, this ditch across the isthmus,
which ruined De Lesseps, drove others
to suicide, overturned a ministry and
threatened even the republic of France
itself is on the road to completion.
Out of the wreck of the fortunes of sew
eral thousand Frenchmen, who sunk
$25O,OOO,OOO on the venture, will rise
one of the greatest achievements in the
history of the world.
Just when actual work of construc-
ton will begin on the canal is not at
present known. 1t may be delayed
until next fall, but if the Colombian
congress should act promptly it is pos
sible that it will start sooner. Much
time will unavoidably be consumed
in the prelim<naries of estimates and
contract letting. Sanitation is also a
matter that must be provided for.
The man who will have charge of the
digging of the canal is James G. Walk
er, rear admiral of the United States
navy, retired. Rear Admiral Walker
has probably given more study to the
subject of the isthmian canal than any
other American living. In 1897 he
was appointed chairman of the 18TH
milan canal commission by President
Mckinley. He made a strong report
in favor of the Nicaragua route. Con-
gress authorized another commission,
and Rear Admiral Walker was again
made chairman. When the French
company offered it's holdings and
rights for $4O,O00,00O, he made COM
prehensive report favoring that route.
He believed that Uncle Sam was get
ting $200,O00,000 worth of work and
rights for $40,O00,OOO.
Rear Admiral Walkers salary as
chairman of the canal commission was
1000 a month, and he will probably
receive this if not more for the services
for which he has been chosen.
In anticipation of the beginning of
work ON the canal manufacturers in al
most every line of industry have al
ready been consulting the plans of the
isthmian canal commission. They are
computing just what will be needed,
how soon they can supply it and at
what price. The government is re-
garded as certain to pay, and no al
lowance need be made for losses. All
the details for furnishing supplies will
be completed long before the necessity
for their use arises.
A working company in the form of a
syndicate to contract with the govern
ment to build the entire canal is said
to be already forming. John B. Nc
Donald, who, it is thought, will head
the syndicate, is probably the biggest
contractor in the world. Mr.. McDon-
aid is the contractor for the subway in
New York city, now in process Of con-