The American Congress has practically decided that the transoceanic canal
shall be cut through Panama, and not through Nicaragua. We believe the decision to be a wise one, the Panama route being shorter by fiveLsi xtbs—twenty seven miles against a hundred and thirty—free from the necessity of building locks, and comparatively exempt from the danger of volcanic disturbance. The work will probably be commenced next year, and American engineers may be trusted to posh on; but we see no hint as yet whence the necessary labour is to be obtained. Even Neapolitans will not face the climate of Panama, and negroes, who will, die of the terrible miasma even faster than white men. The only men who can be trusted to do the work are the Chinese; but the, cost of bringing them and repatriating them after the canal is opened will be very great, even accoi-ding to American ideas.
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