PREFACE

THE construction of the Canal recently entered upon its final stage. Up to this time the plans have been frequently changed; but it is bardly possible that any important modifications can be made in future. The present, therefore, appears to be a peculiarly appropriate time to publish an account of the work which has been done and a description of the plans upon which it will be finished.

In the past few years a widespread interest in the country of Panama has been evinced and capital, in constantly increasing volume, has turned to it as a field for investment. In the section of the book devoted to the interior I have given an account of the resources of this little known region, derived from careful personal investigation and information gained from experts.

In this volume I employ the word Panaman” in place of “ Panamanian." The latter, although it has the endorsement of American officials, is a clumsy and unscholarly construction. There is no more ground for it than there would be for “ Americanian,” or “ Canadanian."

I acknowledge with sincere thanks my indebtedness to Colonel Goethals and several members of his staff for numerous courtesies and facilities extended to me in examining the work. I have always found the Commission willing to afford every assistance to investigators, - even though they approached the task in an inimical spirit, - and to furnish them with all the information and material available.

I wish also to acknowledge the courtesy of the War Department in permitting the use by me of the Department's new official map of the Republic of Panama.

The pleasure of my visit to Chiriqui was largely due to the kind attentions of Don Lorenzo Obaldia, for whom I shall always entertain a feeling of warm regard.

F. L.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

PART I. - THE CANAL

PREFACE

I. THE DREAM OF THE STRAIT .

II. PRACTICAL PROJECTS

III. THE PANAMA RAILROAD

IV. THE FRENCH ENTERPRISE

V. THE TRANSFER OF THE CANAL

VI. THE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE

VII. THE CANAL AS IT WILL BE .

VIII. THE WORK UNDER ARMY ENGINEERS

IX. ALONG THE LINE OF THE CANAL

PART II. — THE COUNTRY

I. PANAMA VIEJO .

II. MORGAN SETS OUT FOR PANAMA

III. THE MARCH ACROSS THE ISTHMUS

IV. MORGAN SACKS PANAMA

V. PANAMA OF TO-DAY

VI. THE CHURCHES OF PANAMA .

VII. THE COUNTRY AND ITS RESOURCES

VIII. THE ANCIENT GRAVES OF CHIRIQUI

IX. UP - COUNTRY IN A COASTING STEAMER

X. DAVID AND THE INTERIOR

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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE THE ISTHMIAN CANAL COMMI88ION (See page 142) Frontispiece MAP OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA. WESTERN SECTION 1 MAP OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA. EASTERN SECTION 20

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PANAMA FROM THE SEA .
FOREBAY AND LIFT Sill, LOOKING SOUTH, FROM East

Wall, GATUN LOCKS, MARCH 15, 1910
ROCK CHANNELER AT WORK IN UPPER MIRAFLORES LOCK

SITE, JAN. 6, 1910
NEGRO QUARTERS, COLON
THE SLIDE AT CULEBRA, Oct. 16, 1909
A GROUP OF NATIVES

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MAP OF THE CANAL ZONE

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.

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LIFT SILL AND FOREBAY, LOOKING SOUTH, FROM WEST

WALL, Gatun Locks, FEB. 1, 1910 .
CROSS SECTION OF PEDRO MIGUEL LOCK, SHOWING LATERAL

CULVERT FORMS IN PLACE, Jan. 5, 1910
PROFILE OF CANAL
CONCRETE MIXING PLANT, GATUN
LAYING SIDEWALL CULVERTS, West CHAMBER, PEDRO

MIGUEL LOCKS, MARCH 3, 1910 .
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE CANAL DISTRICT
LOOKING SOUTH FROM THE East Wall, UPPER GATUN

LOCK, MARCH 1, 1910

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