The Grenada sentinel., 1904-01-09
THE IsTHNIAN PROJECT.
II Approved Millions Will ne sunk In
Itsand Probably No Canal
In the End. s-s~...s

II Approved Millions VIII he sunk in
Is,and Probably No Canal
In the End.
vi E. <sr% ~; ye.- - @-
Panama has always been redolent Of
buccaneer to De Lessep the isthmus
has been the scene of plunder, and the
proposed canal is now being used for a
like purpose. The great value OF q canal
to the commerce of the world and espe-
cially to the United States is univer-.
sally admitted, except by the few who
would lose by it's building. The policy
of President Roosevelt in his interpreter
ton of the treaty of 1886 is entirely at
variance with several Of his predeces-
sors, from Polk to Cleveland, who were
firm in the conviction that while that
treaty guarantees to the United States.
free transit on the isthmus, it also
guarantees the sovereignty of New
Granada-now Colombia, of which Pan
anna is part. From what has trans
pired we appear to have committed a
great wrong in An underhanded way.
The persistent enemies of any, 18TH
mian canal. the transcontinental rail-
roads. have apparently accomplished
their object and have succeeded in fore
ing upon the government the adoption
of the Panama route, well knowing that
if the work shall be commenced no man
now living will ever survive long
enough to see its completion, even if it
should prove practicable, which, in the
opinion of the best engineering talent,
is doubtful.
The people demand an isthmian canal,
the vote in the house in favor of Nicara-
qua was practically unanimous, but the
bill was held up in the senate and the
Sp0Oner substitute adopted to placate
and deceive the people with the delusion
that canal was to be built, but it was
to be one which, If built, would be of
no practical use and could never an
tagonize the railroad interests.
The adoption of the Nicaragua route
was made mandatory upon the pres
ident In case the treaty with Colombia
failed of ratification. 1t did fail. The
president did not act. Why? Was it
because of an intuition that something
was about to happen and that delay was
luton was started. Panama made a
declaration of independence. The in
f1uence and power of the United States
prevented Colombia from protecting
herself and suppressing the insurrec-
ton. The new government was hastily
recognized, and every obstacle to the
ratification of treaty, such as the con-
spiratOrs desired, removed, and now it
is currently reported that Senator Nor
gan, who has for so many years de-
Tended the interests of the people. is to
be removed and Senator Hanna, the
pronounced enemy of those interests
substituted.
Old-fashioned people might regard
such acts as piracy, but old-fashioned
ideas no longer prevail and now might
makes right. There is not a single
feature in the Panama route to recon-
mend it to favorable consideration
The French engineers worked for
years at the Culebra cut, and with the
best appliances were able to remove but
100000 cubic yards per year. There
remain 100000 cubic yards yet to be
taken out, and at the same rate of prog
ress this will require 43 years: but the
French engineers were naturally stim-
ulated by a desire to make the most
rapid progress possible, while their sue
cessors will have no such stimulant.
The aim will be to delude the public by
an appearance of doing something, and
they can easily spread the time for the
completion of this cut over a century,
The next formidable objection is the
Bohio dam. The deepest soundings
have found no suitable foundation, and
it is doubtful if ty any known
appliances a safe dam can be con-
structed.
At least nine-tenths OF the prospective
traffic of the canal will te in the north
ern hemisphere, and for all such traffic
the Panama route will be 400 miles
longer than the Nicaragua. The Pan
ANA route is in the region of the
equatorial Gains or doldrums and sail
ing vessels, if towed through the canal
to the Pacific, would often be required
to go hundreds of miles out of their
course to strike winds to carry them to
San Francisco or other northern ports,
| with loss of weeks of time. The
Nicaragua route is in the direction of
the traffic and is favored by the trade
winds. The sanitary conditions on the
Panama route are notoriously about
the worst in the world. The conditions
are entirely salutary on the Nicaragua
No good harbors can BE- constructed on
the Panama route, at Nicaragua there
are no difficulties on either side The
earthquake scare had no reason for its
existence except in the prolific imagina-
ton of Senator Hanna.
The chances are equal on all routes
and no real danger on any. If work
should be commenced ON the Panama
route, and if In years to come the United
States should be so fortunate as to have
government of, for and by the people,
it will then be found necessary to aban-