176 AMERICAN DIPLOMATIC QUESTIONS 



Nicaragua Canal would be that of a private waterway, with 

 provisons, however, relating to its control, which give to it the 

 semblance of a neutralized channel. 1 



VII 



The " Canal question " involves three sets of problems, all 

 of which call for definite solution before the actual work of 

 excavation shall begin. These problems relate, first, to the 

 physical features of the uridjepfcakTng and its cost; second, to 

 its commercial aspects and probable value to the United States ; 

 and third, to the political status of the waterway in other 

 words, shall it be controlled by the United States alone, or 

 shall it be neutralized by common consent of all nations? 

 These three questions are of paramount importance. 



1. To the first of these questions (the engineering fea- ' 

 tures and cost), much attention has already been given. It 

 may be assumed that reasonably correct estimates have been 

 made by the United States Government through the ex- 

 haustive researches of its recently appointed scientific com- 

 missions. The civil engineer and the geologist are enabled to 

 base their calculations upon actual facts ; with the utmost pre- 

 cision they have measured the amount of earth to be removed ; 

 they have ascertained the hardness of rock to be encountered, 

 and have probed the underlying strata to great depths with a 

 view of obtaining a perfect knowledge of their character. 

 The water-levels of the lakes and rivers have been accurately 

 measured, and the most advantageous sites for dams and locks 

 have been located. The harbors have been sounded, and their 

 approaches most carefully studied. From the engineer's 

 standpoint, then, the problem has already been solved. The 

 conclusions are definite, and the Nicaraguan Canal is beyond 

 all doubt a physical possibility. 



In so far as it is possible to compute the cost of so gigantic 



an enterprise, this has also been calculated. It is true that 



these estimates vary, yet their differences are not discourag- 



ingly great. The most expensive of them all in no way 



1 Great Britain declined to accept the treaty as amended. 



