New-York tribune., 1903-11-30
THE CANAL And PANAMA.
The Minister of the Ne50 Republic
Sets Forth HIS Viezcs.

The project to connect the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans by waterway across the isthmus between
North and South America has been before the
world many years that possibly in the elaborate
discussion of the Panama route scme features Of
it may actually have been overlooked. For in
stance the fact that extensive operations have
been discontinued for such a length of time has
given rise TO reports that some of the work, to
use an Americanism. will have to be done over and
mat the canal so far excavated will require
considerable attention possibly rebuilding in por
tons, before its dimensions will be sufficient to
accommodate the type Of craft for which it was
intended.
Engineers who are familiar with the Topography
and climatic conditions which prevail at Panama
however, will, l think. agree with me in the
statement that the climate especially is very
able TO the maintenance of such a waterway.
This may appear strange when the great amount
Of humidity is taken into consideration. also the
temperature. but it must be remembered that at
Panama there is frost and that tho damage
Whlch may be caused by extreme heat in connee-
ton with extreme cold Is entirely averted Some
OF the most substantial public works, sch as
canal retaining walls and entertainments have been
most seriously affected merely from the fact that
they were built in d country where they were sub
jected to the action Of the elements in the form of
rain and snow and to the freezing of moisture
with which they became impregnated. this force OF
nature affecting them seriously. The very fact
that during so many months of the year the tenn
perature at Panama is what Americans consider
high is point in favor of the canal as the heat
tends to harden the clays which form such an ex-
tensive portion of the natural bed of the waterway
so that the formation really becomes harder by
the action Of time, provided extraordinary oc-
currence causes dsintegration.
l believe can safely say that little or no dredg-
ing, for example, will be required 10 deepen the
completed canal the dimensions which were OBJ
tanned in tho original operations, for we have in
the Chagres River friendly rather than an mimi
cal force. The swift current of the stream which
passes along the route in such at different
seasons OF the year, the channel driving
the sand and osher sediment before it and fore
ing this material out to sea Observations made at
the time was at the isthmus go to prove this
fact and, as above stated, question IL more than
a nominal expense will be encountered in deepen
ing the section which has been considered as fin
shed.
The very obstacles which nature has apparently
placed in the way of linking the oceans by this
route, 1t seems to me. extend a challenge 10
engineers Of to-day which glad to say has
been taken up by of international reputation
1t is indeed gratifying. for the that in the
opinion Of not few these obstacles are by no
means insurmountable The fact that engineers
noted for conservatism and ability have decided
that the project be executed with the proper
installation of machinery and manual labor di-
rected by competent men proves that the conelu-
sions Of those who originally studied this problem
have not been erroneous TO the ultimate re-
suit. no matter how they may have differed In the
plans proposed.
Personally, I say that the canal has been
almost a life study to During my connection
with the original Panama Company / had ex-
celent opportunities TO examine the topogra phv
OF the entire route and TO study the natural forma-
6an ncw Ps9y fdT to b be far problem
ment of apparatus suitable for removing his
enormous eSaf quantity O. material was far behind
may exist relative to this formation Ii is not
composed to such an extent of solid rock as has
It's removal might be attended with less exnense
ments the h or onnag b bae acton @ OF the ee
tnat masses OF 1t crumble into particles at the
consequently its excavation must be ATTENDED with
great care. l found it not difficult however TO
at comparatively small expense. and can saw
that machinery has been invented which can be
uuhZed 70 great advantage in sections where man
% aa labor was depended upon in the original opera
| am also pleased to note that. engineers who
nave made examinations OF the route in recent
Chagres can be controlled. and not at an enor-
While on the subject OF the completion Of the
canal may appropriately refer 10 the assistance
i1 wnich those who are employed upon 1t in fuutre
From the time work begun by the original
TREY depended upon The dredges were thus op-
Grated, as well as the power shovels Tramways
Of which represented railroad system having its
e9rIpnent m OF loc2motiyss and cars 1t is unneceS
which was thus employed. In the item Of fuel for
the locomotives and dredees alone an enormous
expense was Incurred saying nothing Of the paw
roll OF the numerous engineers and 1remen who
were required. BY the erection OF one possibly
two or three power stations: sufficient current can
be generated TO operate all the train service re-
quired. while the dredging and excavating ma
chinery also the same force to a large
extent. Those who are familiar with the methods
of electric distribution In vogue to-day viii real
ize the great economy which can be effected by
its Substitution fer steam. II Is entirely practice
bic. and the current can be transmitted to any
extent desired from end of 'ine TO the
other since the distance is much shorter than
that Of many OF the transmission lines In success
ful operation in the United States The great inn
provemsnt which has been made in apparatus for
piercing rock. such rs pneumatic drills. greatly re-
duces the time and labor required to overcome
this obstacle in construction. The building and
successful operatio OF ship canals. both IN this
country and abroad. prove that the locks which
have been projected In connection with the Pan
anna route are entirely possible but my original
theory that the Panama could be eventually a sea
level canal win not be eounteracted By the cols-
etruction OF the locks, since they be built in