THE PAX AM A ROUTE FOR A SHIP CANAL. 



3i5 



by one route or the other for the traffic between some particular 

 points, on the whole neither route would have any very great advantage 

 over the other in point of distance or time ; either would serve efficiently 

 the purposes of all ocean traffic in which the ports of the United States 

 are directly interested. 



The effect of this ship waterway ujDon the well-being of the United 

 States is not altogether of a commercial character. As indicated by 

 the commission, this additional bond between the two portions of the 

 country will have a beneficial effect upon the unity of the political 

 interests, as well as upon the commercial welfare of the country. 

 Indeed, it is the judgment of many well-informed people that the com- 

 mercial advantages resulting from a closer touch between the Atlantic 

 and Pacific coasts of the country are of less consequence than the 

 unifying of political interests. 



The Breakwater of the Maritime Canal Company at the Former Entrance (now 

 filled) to greytown harbor on the coast of nicaragua. 



Concisely stating the situation, its main feature may be expressed 

 somewhat as follows: 



Both routes are entirely 'practicable and feasible.' 



Neither route has any material commercial advantage over the other 

 as to time, although the distance between our Atlantic (including Gulf) 

 and Pacific ports is less by the Nicaragua route. 



The Panama route is about one fourth the length of that in 

 Nicaragua ; it has less locks, less elevation of summit-level, and far less 

 curvature, all contributing to correspondingly decreased risks peculiar 

 to the passage through a canal. The estimated annual cost of operation 

 and maintenance of the Panama route is but six tenths that for the 

 Nicaragua route. 



