The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1904-01-01
THE ISTHMIAN PROJECT.
u Approved Millions VIII lie sunk I'm
~ and Probably No Canal
la the End.

I has been the scene OF plumber, and the
\ proposed canal is now being used for
like purpose. The great value OF canal
10 the commerce OF the world and espe-
cially TO the United States is uniyer-
sally admitted. except by the few who
would lose by it's building. The policy
OF President Roosevelt in his interpreta-
uon OF the treaty OF 1876 is entirely al
variance with several OF his preeeces-
sors. from Polk 10 Cleveland, who were
firm in the conviction that while that
treaty guarantees to the United States
\ free transit ON the isthmus. il 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 undetermined way.
The persistent enemies Of any 18TH
mian canal, the transconunental rail
roads, have apparently accomplished
I their object and have succeeded in fore
ing upon the government the adoption
OF the Panama roux. well knowing that
I il the work shall be commenced no man
now living viii ever survive long
enough 10 see its completion, even if IL
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
/ Spooner substitute adopted to pla.ate
and deceive the people with the delusion
that a canal was 10 be built. but il was
TO be one which. il 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 10 happen and that delay was
3 polite? Something did happen. a revo-
( luton was started. Panama made a
Z declaration Of Independence. The in
/ fuence and power Of the United States
/ prevented Colombia from protecting
I herself and suppresing the insuTrec-
ton. The new government was hastily
recognized. and every obstacle 10 the
ratification OF Z treaty. such as the con-
spirators desired. removed. and now it
( is currently reported that Senator Nor
gan, who has Tor 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 al the Culebra cut. and with the
Y best appliances were able TO remove but
I 100000 cubic yards per year. There
remain 430000O0 cubic yards yet TO be
taken out, and at the same rate OF prog
ress this viii require 80 years; but the
/ French engineers were naturally slim
1 ulated by desire 10 make the most
I 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. ard
they can easily spread the time for the
/ completion OF this cut over a century
I The next formidable objection is the
I BOhio dam. The deepest soundings
have found no suitable foundation. and
/ it is doubtful if by any known
/ appliances a safe dam can be con-
J structed
At least nine-tenths of the prospective
traffic OF the canal will be in the north
/ ern hemisphere. and for all such traffic
the Panama route will be 400 miles
/ longer than the Nicaragua. The Pan
anna route is in the region of the
I equatorial Gains or doldrums and sail
\ ing vessels. If towed through the canal
I TO the Pacific, would often be required
TO go hundreds OF miles out Of their
/ course 10 strike winds 10 carry them to
/ san Francisco or other northern ports.
with a loss of weeks of time. Tie
! Nicaragua route Is in the direction Of
I the traffic and is favored by the trade
( winds. The sanitary conditions on the
( Panama route are VIGOROUSLY about
the worst in the world. The conditions
are entirely salutary on the Nicaragua.
No good harbors can be constructed on
the Panama route. al Nicaragua there
Z are no difficulties on either side The
earthquake scare had no reason for It's
existence except in the prolific magma
( ton of Senator Hanna.
The chances are equal on all routes
1 and no real danger on any II work
I should be commenced on the Panama
I route. and II in years to come the United
| States should be so fortunate as TO have
a government Of. for and by the people.
/ II will then be found necessary 10 aban-
don the Panama canal and all the money
expended upon il. and take up the Nj
caragua canal and finish il with all pos
sible expedition. as the only means Of
securing a connection between the two
oceans that, will be Of real value TO our
country and to the world.
The recess which the president