Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-31
ISTHMIAN CANAL PROJECT
HOLDS GRAVE PROBLEMS
Construction of Channel Linking Atlantic
and Pacific Long Dreamed of Before
Panama Route Was Opened.

I standpoint for the cost Of transporting
the ships over the 150-mile mountain
Gus route would have been prohibitive,
The Tehuantepec canal plan was dis
cussed seriously for years, but was
abandoned finally in favor Of the
Central American isthmus route. The
heights of Tehuantepec reach an alti-
tude of 765 feet and the terrain is
rugged and forbidding. Besides, there
was no water inland for canal pur-
poses.
Disease and Revolt Imperil Plans.
The survey which Army engineers are
to make of the lower isthmus will be
about the twenty-flfth, according. to
the records. Surveyors have been run
ming lines across various parts of the
neck since before the Declaration of
independence. Most of the surveys
have been followed by brave construc-
ton efforts, all ending in disaster, save
that which was instituted by Gen.
Cocktails
Disease and revolution have been the
worst enemies of the ventureSome canal
pioneers. Panama formerly was one
of the most unhealthy spots in the
world, and Nicaragua's penchant for
revolutions is rather well known.
The Nicaraguan route has attracted
engineers and capitalists from the be-
ginning Of canal agitation. The chain
of lakes and rivers stretching across the
160-mile stretch of land between the
Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean
was an irresistible lure. AS a matter of
fact the original ISthmus Canal Com
mission at first recommended the Mica
raguan route in preference to the
Panama route, the decision being due
partly to the "exorbitant" price de-
manded by the private interests holding
the canal concession. The Panama
Canal Co. eventually agreed to reduce
the concession from $l09.000,0O0 to
$40 100000 and the commission then
reversed its decision.
Vanderbilt Tried Canal Project.
One of the most intensive attempts
to build the Nicaraguan canal was
made by Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1855.
He organized and financed the Atlantic
& Pacific Ship Canal Co., but its oper-
ations were cut short by that most
famous of American filibusterers, Will
liam Walker of Tennessee. Walkers
amazing conquest of Nicaragua with an
army of nondescript soldiers of fortune
from the States furnished the inspira-
ton for many novel.
Walker and his band of SO adven-
turerS descended upon Nicaragua in
June of 1885, ostensibly to establish an
American colony" Finding a revolu-
ton in progress, they joined forces with
the faction in power and plunged reck-
lessly into the strife. In four months
Walker had become commander in
chief of the armies Of the republic. Be-
fore his spectacular career was over he
had risen to the dictatorship and pro-
visional presidency of Nicaragua. His
greed for power led to several colossal
plumbers, however, and in the end he
faded from the picture against an
adobe wall in HonduraS-riddled with
bullets from firing squad.
Confiscated Commodore's Property.
One Of Walkers blunders was the
confiscation of Vanderbilt's canal prop
critics. Vanderbilt had been one of
Walkers most valued allies. and only
| few days before the canal incident
the American f1nancier had shipped
ESQ recruits for Walkers army. Walker
annulled the charter granted the Van
derbilt company, seized the property of
the company and announced he would
appoint commission of his own to build
the canal. His actual purpose, it ap-
PCoAc, WOO W LudhS use VI Tile VdnQGI~
bilt transportation facilities for ma
tional defense" At any rate, the prof.
ect collapsed.
The work done by previous canal
pioneers In Nicaragua will not be of
much value to the United States engi-
neers in their present investigation.
All previous surveys were for canals
that would be wholly inadequate today.
The engineers will proceed as though
they were the first to tackle the Job. In
some ways their task should be easier,
for today the airplane may help in
mapping the mountainous country
through which the canal would 20.
Furthermore, the health and political
situations are vastly improved.
Jadwin to Retire Next Fall.
While the latest surveys will be initi-
ated under the guidance of a veteran
canal builder, they will be completed
under the supervision of some one else
Gen. Jadwin will retire from the
Army early next Fall with the three
silver stars Of lieutenant general on
his shoulders. He will be satisfied to
have directed even the preliminary
work in what undoubtedly will be one
of the worlds greatest engineering
nterprises-whether 1t involve recon-
struction Of the Panama Canal or the
cutting of second gigantic shipway
across the throat" Of the American
continent.