NEW ZEALAND'S HIGHWAY To BRITAIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12605, 7 March 1903, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND'S HIGHWAY To BRITAIN.

THE PANAMA CANAL. (Fnoit Our Own Cobbesfondkxt.) LONDON, January 23. Ono definite and practical step has at last been taken in the direction of completing the marvellous marine highway which will, enable steamers from New Zealand to make as nc-arly as possible a " beeline " for England, instead of pursuing a lengthened and devious course around the two famous " Capes of Storms "—The Horn and tho Good Hope. The treaty between the United States and tho State of Colombia—through whose territory tho canal runs—was signed at Washington to-day. The United States has already acquired by purchase all the rights of the French Panama Company, subject to the condition of Colombia agreeing to the necessary treaty which gives the United States control over the canal and its shores. The condition has now been satisfied, audit tho treaty be confirmed by the American Senate —work on Uie canal will be started, or rather resumed, at once. About one-third of the total length—i.e., about 10 miles out of tho total 30—baa boon made in the face of unprecedented difficulties, alike climatic, engineering, and Perhaps the most formidable of ■all still Vemain to he overcome—viz., the dariiningland diversion of- the large and turl)ulent\Chagres lliver and tho cutting of a ditchlmore than 300 ft deep, and wide enough foV two ships of the largest , size to 'pass abreast through a spur of' the Culcbra Mountain. But no ono doubts that Ameriaa will accomplish this now she has oncci talcen tho matter in hand. Only tiie roughest\ostimatos have yet been made

of the probable cost of completion, or cf tho time likely to b'o occupied on the work.

• Naturally the acquisition by America, of the entire results and possibilities in which so vast an amount of French capital lies sunk is a very bitter pill for France to swallow. So exceedingly indigestible is this same pill that it may well set up disturbances as yot unheard of. If America is resolved "to dominate the canal, and England to have it freely open to hoi* maritime commerce, and Germany to do all in her power to obstruct and limit American jurisdiction. is .it likely that France will look on with uninterested eye? Is it at all probable she will hold aloof should there appear to be impending any struggle lor prcdominenco on - the Panama Canal, or in its control? Hardly. And herein may he discerned some interesting potentialities should relations between Germany and America become more and more strained in the early future. A Franco-Gorman alliance is not more improbable than was an Anglo-German last yoar.