Evening star., 1911-06-09

When the isthmian barrier succumbs at
last to the unrelenting attacks OF the
American canal digger there will begin
the most RAPID change in the commercial
map that has been wrought in centuries.
Not since Columbus. sailing across the
Atlantic in search Of a western passage
to India, discovered a new world instead
of a new waterway. has there been such
Transforming event in the field Of COM
merce as will be the opening of the
Panama canal.
Cities that today are mere way stations
on the international routes of trade will
grow into rich world centers where the
new roads of the commercial map will
cross On the other hand, cities which
today glory in a trade supremacy of in
terna tional recognition will see themselves
displaced. their prestige lost. their hopes
OF the future dashed to earth. The re-
adjustment will not be the matter OF a
day or OF a year. Even generation
may pass before the change reaches half
its proportions. but the ultimate changes
wrought will certainly be greater and
more world-encompassing than any one
now can predict.
The capture of Constantinople by the
discovery of the new world. 1t cut off
the cities of the Mediterranean from
communication with India and sent CO.
lumbus westward in quest Of another pas
sage which could not be obstructed by
the Moslem tyrants Of the east. At last
the Panama canal Is to afford that pas
sage and to bring the whole earth into
smaller compass.
~ MT tAI 0toSn rr{l1h ho Arst
to realize the vast benefits of the canal
1t will double
First to Realize the efficiency OF
Benefits Of Canal. navy and viii
add to our military prestige throughout
the world 1t will enable the national au-
thorities to concentrate the naval
strength of the country In a way that
will make any nation think more than
twice before risking war with America.
The BENEFITS Immediately accruing to
the people Of the United States will be as
great in a commercial way as they will
be in the matter Of military advantage.
AS the capture of Constantinople caused
the upbuilding of many notable regions
through the consequent Transformation
OF international trade routes, SO will the
Mississippi valley. the worlds greatest
granary. begin to grow and; develop even
beyond the wonderful records Of the past.
It's grain and meat products. loading by
way Of gulf ports. can go to the ends
of the earth with little outlay for ex-
pensve rail transportation.
1t is even possible that the great awak-
ening incident to the opening of the
canal may hasten the day when the
lakes-to-the-gulf waterway will be an ac-
compIished fact, and when ships may load
at Chicago, Detroit and other lake points
and sail directly to all ports OF the world.
Then. too. upper Mississippi river points,
like st. Paul. may be brought within
water communication with the outside
world. and the United States will begin
an era Of commercial development sur
passing even the wonderful growth OF
the decade just closed.
PittsburE then may be able to send its
vast output OF manufactures by water;
Kansas City will feel the stimulus OF the
new waterway. and the Pacific coast. long
cut on from the rest Of the country by
the high mountain barriers which have
been only partially overcome BY the rail-
roads. now will And IL resources within