The main objection to this route for the Canal is, that there is a volcano
on an island in the Nicaragua Lake, and there are always fears of
eruptions and earthquakes in the neighborhood of volcanoes. A great
eruption of the volcano might change the course of a river, or alter the
face of the country so much, that the Canal might have to be largely
remade.
The building of this Canal will cost hundreds of millions of dollars--two
hundred millions, it is said.
Nicaragua is not a rich-enough country to be able to pay for this, and it
is here that the subject touches the closest interests of other countries,
and is serious enough to overthrow a much-desired treaty.
If the Canal is to be built, it must be built by a country rich enough to
pay for it.
The country which builds the Canal will have the right to collect a toll
from every vessel passing through, and also to defend it, and prevent the
ships of an enemy from using it.
The United States is naturally anxious to be the country that controls the
Canal. But England does not appear to want us to have entire control.
England owns the greater part of the Suez Canal, which joins the
Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.
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