156 



COLOMBIA. 



2. Width of the bottom of the canal twenty- 

 two metres (72'16 feet). 



3. A direct cut from sea to sea, open to the 

 sky throughout its entire length. 



4. A lock with tide-gates at Panama, to in- 

 sure communication with the Pacific at any 

 hour and under any condition of tides and 

 temporary currents. 



6. The creation of immense harbors at As- 

 pinwall and Panama. 



6. The excavation of a grand side-basin, five 

 kilometres (3'1 miles) long, about the central 

 point of the canal, near Tabernilla, to facilitate 

 the passage of ships in either direction. 



7. The dam at Gamboa, for the regulation 

 of the flood-waters of the Chagres, with divert- 

 ing channels for that stream. 



This programme means a total of 143,880,- 

 000 cubic yards of earthwork for the digging 

 of the canal proper, and the enlargement of 

 the ports at either end sufficiently for traffic. 



The work of changing the course of the 

 Chagres is equivalent to a total of 13,080,000 

 cubic yards. In the original estimate the dig- 

 ging of the canal was put down at 98,100,000 

 cubic yards, with the expectation that this 

 could be reduced to 95,466,688 cubic yards, 

 But, as work has progressed, we find in one 

 portion a smaller quantity of hard rock than es- 

 timated ; on the other hand, a greater quantity 

 of earth capable of being moved by cheaper 

 processes ; the economy in time resulting from 

 this improved condition will, in some degree, 

 compensate for the extra amount to be moved. 



The progress achieved may be stated as fol- 

 lows: 



Cubic yards. 



"Work done previous to Jan. 1, 18S4 8,610,779 



Work done tn the first four months of 1884 % 8,217,460 



Total work done to May 1, 1884 .. 



The actual cube of work done in the first 

 four months of 1884 almost equals the total 

 previous work done to Jan. 1, 1884. This 

 progress, slow but sure, sacrificing nothing to 

 effect, is in accordance with the resolutions 

 made at the organization of the company. 



The working force, consisting of 6,200 men 

 in the previous year, has now been increased 

 to 19,000; and any number required can at all 

 times be drawn from the West Indies. 



M. Dingier, the director-general of the works, 

 estimates that, of the 143,880,000 cubic yards to 

 be removed in digging the canal, 52,320,000 can 

 be raised by dredge the most economical and 

 expeditious method. Including the trenches at 

 the Chagres river, 13,080,000 cubic yards, there 

 would remain 104,640,000 cubic yards to be re- 

 moved dry, and for the extraction of which we 

 have machinery of the following capabilities per 

 month : 



Each large car, allowing for loss of time, 

 294 cubic yards. 



Each Decanville car, 130 cubic yards. 



Each transporter, 39,240 cubic yards. 



Hence, 4,500 large, and 4,000 Decanville 

 cars, with 20 transporters, will give a monthly 



total of 2,616,000 cubic yards. Now, each of 

 the 40 dredges, without counting the 4 small 

 60-horse power dredges, will give an annual 

 total of 654,000 cubic yards. The dry work, 

 with the material above mentioned, is calcu- 

 lated to require three years for its completion ; 

 and the dredges will accomplish their work 

 in two. Hence, had the dry work been only 

 commenced on Jan. 1, 1885, and the dredging 

 one year later, the canal could be finished by 

 Jan. 1, 1888. 



Polities. The sessions of the Legislature, 

 which opened on Feb.. 1, 1884, were closed on 

 September 30th, and the following day the 

 Assemblies met in Boyaca, Cundinamarca, and 

 Panama. The maintenance of peace was the 

 chief object of the Government during the 

 month mentioned. In the State of Santander 

 civil war seemed imminent, but was averted 

 by the interference of the Federal Govern- 

 ment. Meantime the revolutionary tempest 

 had broken out in Cundinamarca, but martial 

 law was not immediately proclaimed in that 

 State, the national Government, which is ex- 

 tremely popular, deeming it expedient to 

 " trust to the reflection and patriotism of the 

 contending parties," rather than appeal to 

 extreme measures of repression. Disturbance 

 was reported at Panama, conspiracy reigned 

 openly in Cauca and Magdalena, 'and somber 

 clouds overhung the State of Bolivar. Peace, 

 however, was re-established; the rebels sus- 

 pended hostilities; but impunity, it was appre- 

 hended, not without reason, would encourage 

 reaction "the outcome of so much debility " 

 and supineness. "Only a truce had been 

 signed ; the revolutionary element remained 

 still in full force, and blood had been uselessly 

 spilled." The storm, indeed, was not past ; after 

 a brief calm, it burst forth anew more violent 

 than before. Advices from Panama under date 

 of Jan. 5, 1885, announced "a most alarming 

 condition of affairs throughout the republic, 

 and the imminence of a general conflict." Civil 

 war had again broken out in Boyaca, Cundina- 

 marca, Magdalena, and Santander, and its reap- 

 pearance in Cauca was apprehended. The re- 

 mote object had in view by the rebels is, of 

 course, the overthrow of the existing govern- 

 ment ; the immediate cause of uprising is best 

 expressed by the closing paragraph of Presi- 

 dent Nufiez's message of September 25 : " The 

 very foundations of the country are nnder- 

 mined. Revolutions are become a safe and 

 lucrative profession. They are seen approach- 

 ing, followed by their somber train of misfor- 

 tunes ; and, although the means of impeding 

 their dismal development may be at hand, the 

 institutions at present in force are opposed to 

 the use of those means. The Government 

 therefore, has to live with shouldered arms 

 awaiting the hour for battle battle that deci- 

 mates our population, swallows up our wealtl 

 increases our public discredit, and forcibly 

 calls to our minds the words of Bolivar : ' Th( 

 who toiled for independence have plowed 



