The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-09
READY FOR CANAL
Flood Of Letters Pours in
From European Countries
Asking for Rules Governing
Navigation of the Big Ditch.


| Panama, May 9.-Since announce
ment that the Panama cana: probably
will be ready for through navigation
by July. this year, many letters Of in
quiry regarding the conditions to be
imposed have been coming to the
canal authorities from all parts of the
world. 1t is apparent that steamship
companies Of all the great maritime
nations expect to make an almost i'm
mediate use Of the canal.
The communications also indicate
that in virtually all cases the COM
panies contemplate q through service
from European ports to those on the
west coast of North, Central and South
American countries. Among the in
Quiries are those regarding tolls, con-
ditions of navigation, pilotage in en-
tering the terminal ports and through
the canal and the charges for this
service. wharfage facilities at Balboa
and Christobal, location and equip
ment of repair shops, coaling and
provisioning facilities and q host OF
usage of the canal.
Most of these questions are adj
dressed to the governor OF the Panama
canal direct while others are sent to
Warrington and are forwarded to the
Isthmus. It Is planned to turn them
over to the newly appointed superin-
tendent of transportation who will be
instructed by the governor to supply
the desired information. Steamship
companies which already are repre-
scented on the Isthmus have sent their
local representatives to the canal Off
Gals seeking similar information
1t is apparent to the canal authori-
ties that as soon as the waterway
shall have been thrown open much
greater use of 1t will be made than
has been anticipated. 1t has been
stated that not more than 100000
tons traffic could be expected for the
first year the canal is in operation.
The letters OF inquiry seem to make 1t
plain to the authorities here that al
ready a greater tonnage for the first
year is indicated.
Passenger-carrying lines are evinc-
ing considerable interest in the ques-
ton Of passenger tolls through the !
canal This subject seems not to have |
been settled to the satisfaction Of the |
companies who desire to be informed |
whether tolls will be charged at all.
and, IL SO. at what rate. The letters |
indicate that most of the companies |
traffic through the canal next year at |
or about the time Of the formal open |
ing and thence to the exposition at
San Francisco.
Schedules of charges aside from
tolls for various services to be per- |!
formed by the Panama canal are In |
the course of preparation and prob |
ably will be promulgated in an off, |
cial circular from the governors Of |
flee in the near future. |
With the arrival of DR. Ramon VAL |
dee. Panamanian minister to London, !
politics became active and there are
indications that he will wage q heated |
campaign for the presidency Of the re-
public to succeed President Porras, |
MI in Tn q.
DEE IL known to be the candidate |
President Porras favors to succeed |
him. and through whom he hopes to |
continue the policies of his admins |
Valdez, who now is councillor for the |
department Of foreign affairs, was
brought back to Panama to begin an |
early and aggressive campaign.
At present political activities center
about the coming election of SO
which takes place in July. Interest. :
however, is only 1ukewarm. The cam |
didates of the Liberal party are un-
opposed, the Conservative party will |
not take any part in the contest. The |
latter maintain they are saving their |
strength for the presidential election |
when they contemplate putting forth |
a strong candidate who can win the |
favor of the United States government !
officials on the isthmus.
in his own party for the presidential |
honor by Rodolfo Chiari secretary Of |
government and justice in the Porras |
cabinet. A split in the ranks Of the |
Liberals is indicated. but probably will
not have serious consequences for the
reason that the party is by far the |
larger Of the two. Secretary CHAR, 1t |
is declared, has the support of DR..
Carlos A. Mendoza, q former president |
Of the republic and one Of the strong
est political leaders in the country. !
Work on the Chiriqui railway. in
the western part Of the republic. has
been started. Within a week after the
incident to the beginning
of work at David and which were at
tended by President Porras, supplies
were being shipped by sea to Pedregal.
the port from which the railway ex-
tends into the interior. The line will
penetrate the most important agri-
cultural country Of the republic and
is expected to prove q great trade
stimulant with the coffee country in
the mountains north of David.