THE CUBA REVIEW 



17 



tary to that of Pa- 

 nama, might be im- 

 mediateh' profitable, 

 as it would have a 

 virtual monopoly of 

 a great part of the ves- 

 sels passing through 

 the trans-isthmian ca- 

 nal. According to 

 expert opinion, the 

 Cuban route would 

 be the logical one for 

 vessels sailing from 

 New York to Pa- 

 nama. 



It is also believed 

 that our canal 

 would be used, al- 

 most without excep- 

 tion, by vessels sail- 

 ing from Panama td 

 Europe and to the 

 Atlantic ports of the 

 United States, since 

 shortly after travers- 

 ing the Panama Ca- 

 nal and entering the 

 Caribbean Sea, the 

 strong equatorial cur- 

 rent flowing from 

 east to west would 

 oblige them to seek 

 the Strait of Yuca- 

 tan, in order to avoid 

 sailing against this 

 current, and then to 

 follow the north- 

 eastern coast of Cuba, 

 so as to take advan- 

 tage of the Gulf 

 Stream, up to the 

 Florida Straits. 



All this would 

 be rendered un- 

 necessary by pass- 

 ing through the 

 Cuban canal, and if 

 by this means there 

 should result a sav- 

 ing, however small, 



of expense or danger, the ships would take this route, provided the conditions were 

 reasonable. 



A direct route from the gulf coast to the Panama Canal, avoiding the tour around 

 the island of Cuba, would be secured by this canal and a distance of 400 miles or more 

 would be saved. 



Cochinos Bay on the south side of the island is one of the deepest harbors in Cuba. 

 From the bay boats would have clear saihng without reefs or other obstructions to 

 Panama. 



According to the canal bill now pending in the Cuban Congress the United States 

 government will be asked to assist in digging the ditch, says the Key West (Fla.) 

 Citizen. 



The Cubans will put up the money, but thej- want to use some of the Panama 

 machinery after that canal is completed. 



Recent press despatches were to the effect that at least part of the Panama Canal 

 machinery would be taken after the Panama ditch is dug, but the promoters of the 

 project are positive that if Uncle Sam is once shown the benefits of the proposed canal 

 across Cuba that the necessarj^ machinery will be forthcoming. 



E.Nll^'^'-* 



COLUMBIA 



Map showing the geographical position of the gulf ports, Cuba and 

 the Panama Canal. 



