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Various Canal Routes

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results. In addition to this the climate of the Isthmus of Panama is so severe that laborers die off like sheep in a storm, and therefore the only workmen that can be secured are adventurers who will take the risk for the sake of what they can make out of it, and who demand such exorbitant pay that the expense is enormously increased. Were this not enough, the bad reputation of the Panama Canal makes men hesitate about putting more money into it. That the French company organized was a gigantic bubble is a matter of history, but it is also known that the Panama Canal as conceived by M. Ferdinand de Lesseps was such a difficult undertaking that it would have cost more money than it was worth while to spend.

The new Commission that will be sent to look into the Panama route will also examine a third possible route across the Isthmus of Darien, from Caledonia Bay to the Bay of San Miguel.

The Isthmus of Darien is another name for the Isthmus of Panama, which, as you know, is the connecting link between North and South America. The two best harbors on the isthmus are Panama on the north and San Miguel on the east. The Panama Canal route runs from Colon to Panama, and this third route which is to be mapped out will be called the Darien route to distinguish it from the Panama.

It is probable that if the Clayton-Bulwer treaty can be arranged to our liking, the Nicaragua route will be chosen, as that has more natural advantages than the others, unless, indeed, the Darien route develops in an unexpectedly favorable way.

Rear Admiral John G. Walker, who was at the head

of the Nicaraguan Commission, has also been placed in charge of the present Commission. Many people are inclined to criticise the appointment of a Commission to go over the Panama route, and declare that it will only delay matters until either England is strong enough to seize the Nicaragua route, or France becomes possessed of the Panama route. But matters of such vast importance cannot be rushed through in a few months, and it is far better to wait for a good canal that we can hold than to build a waterway in hot haste that, either for political or natural reasons, will prove unsatisfactory and useless to us. [During the winter a full account of the Panama Canal will appear in THE GREAT ROUND WORLD, which will describe its origin and give interesting details which will bring the account to date. This is in response to many requests.]

June 15 was made memorable by the meeting of the Venezuelan Arbitration Commission, which assembled at the Foreign Office in Paris.

The Venezuelan

Paris has been the place chosen for

Commission. the adjustment of many treaties and

1

vexed questions, including some that have been of vital interest to us; as, for instance, the Behring Sea decision, and the Peace Treaty with Spain. But of all the international disputes to which she has given houseroom none is more remarkable than the one which is now to be settled within her walls.

The Venezuelan boundary question has been on the stocks since 1841, but it began still further back,

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Nicaraguan Canal Commission

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in 1814. In that year the Dutch ceded to Great Britain the colony which is now known as British Guiana. Venezuela was then a part of the Spanish colony of New Granada. The Dutch, on handing over the colony to Great Britain, laid claim to a large tract of land, which was also claimed by Spain. Disputes over the true boundary line were commenced immediately.*

No settlement was arrived at, but when, in 1830, the Republic of Venezuela was formed by Simon Bolivar, the Venezuelans succeeded to the dispute between Spain and Great Britain.

The land claimed by England is about one third of the Delta Territory, and one half of the Yuruari Territory. When you learn that it contains gold fields you will more readily understand why the quarrel has been so long and so difficult of settlement. Venezuela on her side was not at all backward in her demands, and claimed that her territory should extend as far as the mouth of the Essequebo River, which would cut British Guiana nearly in two.

The dispute dragged along until 1896, when the Venezuelan government, fearing that England might try to assert her claims by force, asked the United States to intervene. It was at once suggested that the matter should be submitted to arbitration.

Lord Salisbury, the British Prime Minister, stated, however, that he would not submit the boundary question to arbitration, and but for the courage of Mr. Olney, our then Secretary of State, Venezuela, being the weaker country, might have gone under. But

*See Vol. 1, pages 4, 52, 196, 397.

this government construed the Monroe Doctrine* to mean that any efforts to encroach on the territory of a South American Republic would be a distinct violation of its teachings, which were that the United States would forcibly resist any attempt to establish European political systems in America. In replying to the announcement from Lord Salisbury that he would not submit the Venezuelan matter to arbitration, Mr. Olney calmly stated that the United States would help Venezuela to defend what, on careful examination, proved to be her rights.

This meant, as plain as words could speak, that if Great Britain attempted to enforce her claims, the United States would come to the aid of Venezuela.

Happily for all concerned, Lord Salisbury appreciated the new diplomacy which America has instituted, and realized that the language used by Mr. Olney was not an empty boast or an attempt to frighten Great Britain into respecting Venezuela's rights, but meant exactly what it said, arbitration or war, in case we found on examination that the claims of Venezuela were just.

After giving the matter his most careful consideration, Lord Salisbury decided that the proper thing for him to do would be to reconsider his refusal and agree to arbitrate the dispute.

A treaty was therefore arranged and ratified on June 14, 1897, whereby four arbitrators were appointed, two for Great Britain and two for Venezuela, these four being required to choose a fifth as president.

(Will be concluded in next issue.)

* See supplement following page 210, Vol. 1.

1899]

Fatalities in Diving

Submarine Diving.

(Begun in issue May 25.)

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THE exploding of submarine torpedoes is serious business. When trying to locate the torpedo the diver is compelled to observe extra precautions. He removes the cartridge (which generally contains dynamite) from its place and carries it in his hand, being very careful not to let it drop, or strike against hard surfaces. A single false step and he would be blown to atoms. It is rather harder work than doing tasks at school on a hot day. The work requires courage, daring, and unfailing good judgment. It is never a holiday sport.

Sometimes, alas, a diver loses his life. A case is on record where the narrow submarine tunnel of a reservoir, blocked with shafts and cogwheels for opening and closing valves to regulate a city waterworks, became choked. A cogwheel had worked loose and deranged the apparatus.

A plucky diver went down, but entangled his airhose and life-line in the machinery while groping about. He died from fright and heart failure. A second diver who went down almost died and was seriously injured internally by being jammed in the wheels before he could release the corpse.

A third diver attempted the task. His air-hose also fouled. When hauled up he was black in the face from suffocation. These men were not supplied with the telephone, and could not give orders or receive instructions.