Evening star., 1936-08-10

Va tllC dllhkla SokAhky 0loO 14du OIL
apartment until her death several
years ago. They were often called
"the Army sisters" because Of their
inseparability from those days when
they had stood by the side of their
husbands under conditions as unusual
as those endured by service" women
the world over
II Mrs. Qaillard's "reminiscences are
ever written, and she says they
won't be-" what blithesome reading
they will make. with dangers lightly
passed over, for that is her way.
Little Lady Engineer"
Her smile is just as flashing and de-
lightful, too, as 1t must have been
when she conquered every foe to
which the tropics Is subject and
came to be called "the little lady
engineer" because Of her interest in
the monumental work that was under
way on the Canal Zone.
One of her interests was collecting
orchids from the nearby jungle. A
rare one, not known until she dis
covered it, has been named in her
honor.
Another avocation was the con-
struction Of home from native mate
rials. for which the Fine Arts Com
mission awarded her a medal foE
skill.
An incident, hair-raising to most
of her friends, is the account of the
boa constructor 50 enormous that, as ii
was fleeing before the onslaughts Of
civilization, 1t hurdled two Of the
dump-train cars while terrified en-
ployes fed.
Pierre Gaillard, the only son Of Col
and Mrs. Gaillard, married Mona
Blodgett and Is living upon a beauti-
full estate called The Rocks overlook
ing Rock Creek Park They have
three children. little Monica and two
sons, David Du Bose and David st
Pierre, usually called peter" From
the number Of prizes which the two
Davids carry OF each June at St
Adams Cathedral School for Boys, Il
would appear they promise to carry or
the family traditions.
First sighted by Columbus in 1892
it was Balboa who. II years later. lee
on by tales told by natives of the 18TH
mus of Panama, stood silent upon q
peak in Darien and stared at the
Pacific while each of his men looked
at each other with wild surmise."
To fernando Cortez, who conquered
Mexico. belongs the honor of propos-
ing the water route, which now j,
having its 22nd birthday anniversary
His plans, however, were cut short
by the treachery of his followers, but
he encouraged his kinsman. Alvaredo
to continue the project. Under Alva-
redo were elaborated the four routes
Darien, Nicaragua. Tehuantepec and
Panama, destined to be identical with
those that were to receive 50 much
attention from an American Congress
in the nineteenth century.
Inca gold was transported across
the isthmus by the conquering Span.
lard, but with the abdication OF
Charles v and the accession Of Philip
III Spain lost all interest in the
project.
Henry Clay was fully aware Of the
value Of connecting waterway be.
tween the Atlantic and Pacific, as evi-
denced in his statement that +it will
form a great epoch in the commercial
affairs of the whole world"
In 1926 Aaron H. Palmer Of New
York entered into q contract with the
republics of Central America ito con-
struct canal capable of accommo-
dating the largest vessels afloat," but
he failed to carry it for q distance of
more than 5 miles.
Necessity Emphasized.
The planting of the Stars and
Stripes on the Mexican coast after
the Mexican War emphasized the
necessity for an isthmian canal con-
structed by American enterprise.
The discovery of gold in California
and the building of the Panama Rail-
road with American capital reiterated
its need, but difficulties Of a political
nature invariably blocked abortive
attempts.
In 1876 Count Ferdinand de Les
seps made the effort for the French.
Corrupt management and desperate
attempts at financing, which, added to
the appalling ravages of yellow
fever, finally threw the company into
receivership.
President Mckinley, in 1898, ap-
pointed the Isthmian Canal Commits
sion. It's members were Rear Admiral
John c. Walker, Col. Peter c. Hams,
whose name Hams Point bears; Col.
Oswald H. Ernsk and two laymen,
Prof. Ernst and Emory r. johnson.
Senator John Tyler Morgan of
Alabama. whose extensive learning,
subtle intellect and broad national
vision had given him vast influence,
was the chairman Of Interoceanic
Canals and head Of the Foreign Re-
lations Committee.
Finally, during the administration
of President Theodore Roosevelt, Con-
gress authorized the acquisition Of
the rights and property Of . newly
organized French company and that
OF the Panama Railroad, as well as
negotiation Of q treaty with Colombia.
Colombia rejected the treaty during
the Summer of 1903.
The successful, bloodless revolt Of
Panama from Colombia the following
November and its immediate recogni-
ton by the United States and other
powers. together with the payment of
$4,000 900 to Panama and the pledge
Of $3.50 600 In annual tolls by the
United States when the canal should
be completed. confined the issue to
Panama, Senator Morgan sacrificing
his own preference for the Nicaraguan
route.
William Nelson Cromwell Of New
York City, who still is living,
represented the new Panama Canal
company for the French on its trans
fer to the United States Government.
Their successful negotiations are
tribute to his skill as q barrister, an
organizer and q diplomat.
Gen. Davis First Head.
MI Al