The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-22
GIGANTIC TASK WHICH
THE NATION FACES IN
ISTHA|AN ENTERPRISE
Dominant Voice of the West in
Advancing the Project to Its
Present Status.
PROBLEMS TO BE MET
All Resources of Engineering and
Sanitary Science Demanded
The Preliminary Work.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

the government or the united States IL
soon to enter-the construction of ship
canal across the Isthmus of Panama-can-
not fail to engage the attention and inter-
est of every American, as no doubt 1t inter-
ests thoughtful observers among intelligent
people throughout the civilized world. This
enterprise is regarded as most important, in
respect to the engineering feats to be ac-
complished we'll as in its influence upon
the civilization, wealth and progress OF
mankind. There is no way of estimating
the effect of this project on the interests OF
the South and Middle West, or to the coun-
try as whole and the progress of the plans
from this time, now that the ratification of
the treaty is assured, and the preliminary
work will be watched with the greatest in
terest. The treaty will be ratified on Tues
day, and arrangements beginning with the
appointment of a canal commission, and an
investigation into the methods of procedure
will begin at once.
+ +
Some facts in connection with this notable
work on the part of the American people
will be viewed with interest by coming gen.
erations as part of one of the most re-
markable features of the political and COM
mercial history of the. United States in
their influence on civilization and trade. For
more than sixty years-indeed, probably
from the time the eye of white men first
viewed the Pacific after crossing the mar
row isthmus-the idea of a canal big enough
to accommodate vessels and open way
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, has been
the dream of statesmen and observers in
the realm of trade and adventure. The sub
ject of the canal project was kept before
Congress for twenty years by the venerable
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, than whom,
perhaps, no more influential force ever ex-
listed for the perfecting of the project in
some form. But Mr.. Morgan was welded to
one idea alone. He wanted the canal built
on the Nicaraguan route. He would listen
to no compromise on that question. Then
it that several new forces were pro-
jected into the discussion, and from these
quick results were obtained. And those
| forces came out of the West. The national
| political conventions having declared for a
canal, and the pressure from the West being
strong enough to make 1t clear that the
| people wanted a canal and that the export
| ing people the coasts of the East and
| the South Joined with the great producing
| element along that mighty artery Of trade,
| the Mississippi, in demanding a canal, the
new forces went to work to accomplish
what Mr.. Morgan had failed TO accomplish.
Senator Spooner. of Wisconsin, furnished
the legal machinery for carrying the prof.
ect into effect He opened the way with a
| piece of Shrewd legislation which cleared
the field. Senator Hanna brought to the
| discussion of the subject a powerful argu-
ment based on business lines, in which he
opened the eyes of the Senate and the coun-
try to the possibilities of the canal. Such
| representative senator's from the North
! west as Nelson, of Minnesota, and Kilt
/ ridge, of South Dakota, brought to bear on
the discussion of the subject a line of prac-
1ir1cr fr0r,
an inland section of the country, far re-
moved from New Orleans, Savannah and
other. coast points, had powerful influ-
| ence in the controversy.
Senator Fairbanks, another potential Re-
publican leader from the boundless West,
! took an important part in the canal legis-
lation when the matter became prominent
in the foreign relations committee, as the
result of the complications on the isthmus.
No member of the upper house of Congress
gave more thoughtful consideration to the
question when squall was imminent to
| the south, and he was at all times in close
touch with the President, holding frequent
| conferences at the White House. in which
| in addition to the Indiana senator. Secre-
| tary Hay, Senator Cullom, Senator Spooner
| and other administration leaders partici-
pated. Senator Fairbanks followed I'M
this work with a speech, generally regard
| ed as one of the most effective delivered
on the subject, on account of its conserva-
/ tive tone, and in which the senator took
| advance ground that history would Justify
| in every detail the policy and conduct of
| the administration toward the Republic
of Panama and the Republic of Colombia
+
The last Congress, it will be remembered
| following the lead of these able men from
the West, mapped out a plan by which the
| Panama canal could be secured Through
the intervention of peculiar conditions, but
| for the most part the result of the crashing
policy of the government of Colombia CON
| ditions singularly favorable to the United
| States have been made possible through
| the rise of the new Republic of Panama
Now all that remains is for the govern.
| ment to pay the stipulated price for the
| canal; name commission to enter upon the
preliminary negotiations; make arrange
ments for the first work, by means of plan:
for the gigantic project, such as provision:
for securing the best possible sanitary ar.
| rangements, which must now be made. II
respect to the sanitary features of tn,
project, it is expected that the government
will do its first and what is regarded a.
it's most important work. 1t will be alb
Solutely essential TO the success of the en-.
|
20 guard against the outbreak of an cpl
demic during the progress of the work i
is believed here that, if plague should
be permitted to break out among the fore,
10 be employed on the work in its Inception
Ii would give a serious blow to the entir,
enterprise. Plans also will be prepared FOL
securing, IL possible, sea level canal
which is the real hope of everybody who
has given attention to the details of til,
great project.
1t is believed that at least a year vii
elapse before work of a material charactel
will he begun on the canal proper. Blu
when it is begun ii is believed il will h.
| pressed forward with the energy and fore,
which the United States government bring,
to bear on all its great national enter
prises.
1t is estimated by the officials who hav,
gone over the subject in all it's bearings
and the senator's who have examined int,
il carefully, that when the canal project /
thoroughly under way there will be 1000
Americans, including officials and employees
| located upon the canal zone To provide
| a government for this colony, and to guar,
| against disease by proper sanitary meas
| ures and to see that the Panama author
4 tiles provide proper sanitary, measures 70
Colon and Panama, will be a tremendou
| task for this government to perform No
only is the canal project a tremendous one
from the standpoint of engineering, but
| presents great problems I'm government
| which demand the thoughtful consideratiol
| of the ablest men in the administra tiol
and in Congress. j. Z. NJ
Mrs. winsIOw's Soothing syrup