DURING the year 1898 the author was employed, under the direction of the Nicaragua Canal Commission, in surveying the belt of country available for canal construction between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific Ocean. This little volume is the outgrowth of that visit to the country. It does not pretend to literary excellence, nor does it purport to treat exhaustively the subjects touched upon, but aims rather to give a correct idea of the country and people, and to afford in a compact form such other information as the general reader may desire.

While an Isthmian Canal now seems assured, it is impossible at the present time to tell whether the Nicaragua or Panama route will finally be chosen. The construction of a canal at either location is perfectly practicable, and if the works of the Panama Company were acquired for $40,000,000 the cost of completing the two channels would be practically the same. The chief disadvantage of the Nicaragua route is the cost of operation and maintenance, which is estimated at $3,300,000 per annum, or $1,300,000 more than the Panama route. Whether it should be chosen in preference to its rival seems to depend, therefore, upon whether it possesses superior advantages worth securing at this excess annual expenditure.

These advantages are, briefly, as follows.

A saving of from one to two days upon all trans-isthmian commerce except that originating or ending upon the west coast of South America. The commerce thus benefited includes that between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States, which, being coastwise trade protected by law from foreign competition, is of special importance to the American people.

More favorable hygienic conditions at Nicaragua, indicating less loss of life during construction, and less liability to commercial loss after completion, from the quarantine of vessels.

The possibility of developing large portions of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and of establishing, during the period of construction, intimate business relations which would benefit our manufacturing, agricultural, and other interests. The Panama Canal would be merely a means of communication between the two oceans.

An average saving of about nine days for sailing ships in reaching and leaving the termini, due to the prevalence of trade winds not felt at Panama. It is probable that for many years to come considerable slow moving freight will be transported by large five-masted schooners, manned by small crews, and this class of shipping should therefore receive due consideration.

It is estimated that with a proper system of tolls the revenues of either canal would greatly exceed the cost of maintenance and operation, but would not be sufficient to pay a fair rate of interest upon the capital invested. If, therefore, the canal is regarded as a business venture, the Panama location is unquestionably preferable; but if it is regarded as a means of benefiting mankind, and particularly the citizens of the United States, the Nicaragua route has many strong claims to consideration.

In the preparation of this volume, numerous official reports and standard treatises were consulted, notably the works of Squier, Belt, and Keasebey.

Thanks are due to Messrs. W. V. Alford, D. H. Baldwin, G. W. Brown, Fred Davis, and H. W. Durham, for photographs loaned, and to Mr. E. B. Harden for much valuable aid and encouragement.

J. W. G. WALKER.

U. S. NAVY YARD, CHARLESTOWN, MASS., Jan. 20, 1902.