The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1909-02-19
Will The PANA-
MA CANAL PAY.
Is the Question Much Asked
At this Time.
May Prove the Most Colossal
Commercial Bluner in
Worlds History.

When tine Un10ed - ades nfsu su&-
gested acquiring French concession the
success OF the Suez Canal was advan-
cci as showing the assured prosperity
OF the waterway across che isthmus
especially as 1t was argued that the
major part OF the traffic between Eu-
rope and rhe Anuipodes would favor
the trans American route. But Will
this be the case? So far as Europe
is concerned such deviation is some
what doubtful since the distance via
Suez to the East win be practically
the same as by Panama. 1t must be
remembered also that Suez is one
Of the greatest sea trade highways in
the world. On this route the mercan-
die marine taps a continuous string
Of the busiest markets, while via Pa
mama NO such advantages are offered.
Moreover, strange to relate. the short
est journey between New York and
Hongkong, the door of China, will even
than be xia Suez. The Austra ian
TRAFFIC the Panama Canal will be OF
certain advantage, but even then
It must be borne IN mind that more
commercial ports cam be touched by
the old route. and 1t Is a mooted point
whether the possibilities OF new traffic
Offered by the somewhat shorter jour
ney Through the Panama ddtch win be
such as to tempt shipp8ng from a
course upon whdch IL is already firmly
established But APART from these
considerations the Panama Canal wdn
experience severe competition from al
formative routes ON the American con-
tinent itself. BY nhe time the canal
Is completed the Tehauntepec Railway
across the Mexican Isthmus to the
south and the Grand Trunk Pacific,
with its new port at Prince Rupert on
the north Will be in full swing. TAX
ing the Tehauntepec fine FIRST, New
Orleans will be 1854 miles and New
York 1,1S2 miles nearer San Francisco
via the railway than by the canal,
while ehe saving on the distance be-
tween Liverpool and Sam Francisco by
the iron road Is about 800, mile as com
pared with the waterway. lit win be
argued that in favoring the railway
breaking bulk is necessary; but the
facilides that are being provided at
each end of this 1S9 miles Of transcon
tanental line for tranSshipment are
such as to reduce the delay and cost
to the minimum. which In any event
will be less than the canal dues. BY
the new Oanardan Transcontfnental
Railway New York, Chicago end the
other prosperous industrial centers an
the north of the States viii have
their distance to Japan shortened by
over 1000 miles. The United States
Government is however relying on
the patriotism Of the citizens TO insure
the prosperity of dts enterprise but
Il is to be feared that loyalty is but
an Indifferent reed upon which to lean
and that 1t win find the American
quite as mercenary as the business
man of any other nation where speed
lower freighes and other advantages
are concerned In the strenuous hustle
for trade supremacy. From the mill
tary point of view the canal will be
distinctly valued to the State; but
there are many who affirm tina the
which will cost some
$40 600 900, may prove to be the most
colossal commercial bhmder in 1.-THE
worlds history.