THE PANAMA CANAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2231, 20 September 1889, Page 2

THE PANAMA CANAL.

A New York telegram of July 16th states : H k B, S'avln, President of the Amerioan Oontraoiug and Dredging Oom. pany, leaves for Paris to-doy by the steamer B_a!e. It Is understood that Slavln vlsts Paris for tbe purpose of olos'ng a oontraot with the canal people for the completion of tbe remaining work on the Pan«m» Oanal, The amount Involved Is said to be about #200,000,000. The auooessf ul negotiation of a contract on so stupendous a *o»le will, it is said, seoure for the new o>n.l organisation being perfeoted In Paris tbe oonfidenoe of the Frenoh and Amerioan publio and ample funds to assure the suooess of the great soheme,

In an Interview before his departure Slavln said : "■ There are seventeen miles on the Athntlo Oo»st and five miles an the Paoifio Coast already finished, That leaves twenty-two miles yet to be done, most of which Is outtlng, upon whioh there has already been considerable work done. The oansl oan be oomoleted In (out years from January Ist. Oae thing Ii •nre : If Americans undertake to finish the Panama Oan*], you oin bet all your money tbat It will be completed, and within the time I bave mentioned; Tbe superior methods of Americans were demonstrated wbei the dredging was plaoea In tbelr hands. The great rapidity with wblob improved American methods of dredging accomplished tha work opened <ho eyes cf the Frenchmen. The same advanced methods applied to the entire work of cutting out tbe Oansl, will Insure the soma proportionate rapidity In finishing It."