102 



^AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



tion* in t-ie .e:\ily .part of the nineteenth century, after the 

 independence of the Central American states had been 

 established. 



Fifth, other nations then became interested in the project, 

 and numerous surveys were made covering not less than six 

 possible routes. The early surveys were superficial, and wholly 

 worthless in the light of more modern engineering science. 



Sixth, the result of later surveys has been to reject all 

 except the Panama and Nicaragua routes. French interest 

 became focussed upon Panama, and the United States favored 

 the Nicaraguan route. 



Seventh, the failure and collapse of the French Panama 

 Company had left for a time a clear field to the American 

 companies in Nicaragua; but when the latter companies 

 were driven to insolvency and inactivity, nothing less than 

 governmental aid seemed to promise success. 



Eighth, the result of recent surveys, combined with the 

 experience of those who have attempted construction of the 

 'work, has been to demonstrate that the physical difficulties 

 in the way and the probable cost of construction are greater 

 than formerly supposed. While the advanced skill of engi- 

 neering science has devised improved means of overcoming 

 physical difficulties, it has at the same time developed many 

 obstacles hitherto undiscovered. 



Ninth, a recent phase of the question is a growing distrust 

 in the ability of any private company to complete the work 

 of constructing a Central American canal. For ten years 

 past Congress has tended toward a policy of placing the 

 work Upon -ar national basis. This tendency reached its 

 culmination in the 56th Congress by the introduction of 

 bills into both Houses looking exclusively to governmental 

 construction of the canal. 



The great majority of the people of Europe and America 

 have always believed that this convenient doorway to the 

 Pacific should be opened to the world's commerce. The 

 query naturally arises, Why, after three hundred years of 

 effort, has it never been done? In spite of the physical 

 difficulties, the work has at all times been considered 



