HISTORY OF THE PANAMA CANAL 



is a matter of surmise to what extent these ideas 

 were inspired and also the source of the inspiration. 



At all events, a revolution took place in Novem- 

 ber, 1903, and Panama became an independent re- 

 public without the necessity of bloodshed. Diplo- 

 matic relations were established, and the United 

 States having acquired the canal zone by treaty, the 

 construction of the canal was taken up, the first 

 commission being appointed in February, 1904. 



The commission appointed by President Roose- 

 velt consisted of Admiral J. G. Walker, Judge Geo. 

 W. Davis, Professor W. H. Burr, Mr. Wm. Barclay 

 Parsons, Colonel F. J. Hecker, Major B. M. Harrod, 

 and Mr. C. E. Grunsky. 



Plans had been prepared and the work under 

 American control was commenced on May 4, 1904. 

 The lock plan was decided upon, after two years' 

 study, as the most practical one, raising the canal 

 eighty-five feet from the level of the Atlantic to 

 Gatun Lake, and lowering it again near Panama to 

 the Pacific Ocean. 



The canal was practically completed under the 

 direction of Colonel Goethals during the year 1914, 

 at a cost of close to three hundred and seventy- 

 five million dollars. Slides have interfered seriously 

 with the use of the canal, but it is predicted that 

 the year 1915 will find it ready for its formal open- 

 ing to the ships of the world. At its lowest point 

 the canal has a depth of 42 feet, and its length from 

 deep water to deep water is about 49 miles. 



The commercial world is looking forward to inter- 

 esting trade developments owing to the change of 

 communications by the establishment of new steam- 

 ship lines with various new routes. Surely the Pan- 

 ama Canal is but another link in the chain binding 

 the nations of the world closer together in their 

 governmental, commercial and social relations. 



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