136 NICARAGUA. 



the opening of the Nicaragua Canal, in preference to that of 

 Panama ; but it was not so much because I considered the 

 difficulties of the undertaking to be less, but more especially 

 for philanthropic purposes, my belief being that loss of life 

 would be less in Nicaragua than in Panama, in consequence 

 of the better resources of Nicaragua with regard to all the 

 commodities of life. 



Having resided in both countries, I was able to form an 

 opinion on the subject, and I regretted very much at the time, 

 that the majority of the Delegates of the International Con- 

 gress held in Paris in 1879, did not vote for that route. But 

 as I said in the Hum?ning Bird, January, 1892, and in other 

 notices which I wrote on the Panama Canal, now that this 

 last one is already half done, it would be better to complete 

 the Panama Canal first, and to begin the Nicaragua Canal 

 soon after the opening of the former, because twenty or 

 thirty years hence, I doubt whether even if the two Canals 

 will be adequate to the traffic of that time. 



Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary that all nations 

 should leave behind all idea of monopoly on these routes and 

 abandon their keen competition about it. Such enterprises 

 must be quite international, the work of all the nations 

 grouped together hand in hand, and contributing, each one, 

 according to its means, to the realization of this gigantic and 

 admirable work of men, which once opened will be a great 

 factor to the future and greatness of the world at large. 



It is also imperative that the Republics of Colombia, 

 Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, should renounce entirely to 

 their exigencies. The members of the Governments of 

 these countries must give all facilities and help the Com- 

 panies in every way. They must think of the great future 

 of their countries, which depend greatly on the success of 

 these grand undertakings. 



I conclude with that part of the message of President 

 Harrison about Nicaragua, sent and read in the Congress 

 of the United States on the 6th of December, 1892, 

 and with that of President Cleveland read at the opening 

 of the Session of 1893. 



THE NICARAGUA CANAL. 



"The President then repeats with great earnestness 

 his recommendation that prompt and adequate support should 

 be given to the American company engaged in constructing 

 the Nicaragua Canal. It is, in his opinion, impossible to 



