Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1900 — SETTLE BIG CANAL QUESTION. [ARTICLE]

SETTLE BIG CANAL QUESTION.

Agreement Between Great Britain and America Reached. Another step in the construction of the Nicaraguan canal was taken Monday, when Lord I’auncefote and Secretary Hay signed a treaty revoking that portion of the Clayton-Bulwer convention which prohibits the Government of the United States from constructing a waterway across tly* isthmus. The agreement provides in substance as follows: The United States ia. granted the right to build and control exclusively the waterway joining the Atlaatic and Pacific, and the provision of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty providing for joint control is annulled. Neutrality of the canal is pledged by both of the signatory parties, both in times of peace and war. The great maritime nations will be asked to pledge themselves to the preservance of the canal’s neutrality.

The present agreement was reached practically a year ago, when it seemed certain that the private corporations that had concessions for the canal would be compelled to relinquish the enterprise and leave ihe work to be done by the Government. It was not, however, formulated until a few days ago, since, the pending bills-were reported from the Senate and House committees. Great Britain yields its claims under the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, provided the United States will guarantee* the neutrality and the protection of traffic upon the canal. Here are a few interesting facts about the Nicaraguan canal concerning which the British-American treaty was signed at the State Department. The figures are gathered from various official reports and from private sources of information: Total cost of canal (estimated.. .$125,000,000 Money already spent by Maritime Canal Company 85,136,428 Total distance from ocean to , ocean 169.4 mileS Length of proposed ditch 27 miles Length of natural waterway.... 142 miles Proposed width of canal 300 feet Proposed depth of cana1........ 30 feet Quantity of earth to .be excavated and dredged 152.781.270 cubic yds Excavation proper 20.907,006 cubic yds Highest elevation of qanal from level of sea -. 110 feet Distance saved for ships going from coast to coast 8,000 mile* Time saved (at war ship Oregon's rate of sailing) 42 days Increase in ocean traffic since 1881 - 16,000,000 tons Distance from New York 2,000 miles Distance from San Francisco.... 2,700 railed Distance from Philippine IsUhds 9,000 miles Distance from Honoluln 4,210 miles Time required for construction.. six years