No. 480.
Mr. Halderman to Mr. Frelinghuysen.
Bangkok, November 10, 1882. (Received January 2.)
Sir: The scheme to cut a canal through the Malay Peninsula at Kraw is again freely discussed.
This projected water-way is no new idea. Within the last twenty-five years a half dozen or more applications have been made to the Siamese Government for ways and means to prosecute this work, but so far none have met with pronounced favor. The one now pending, made by Mr. Francis Delonde, a French engineer, who claims to represent Count De Lesseps and a substantial company, is receiving more consideration than any one of its predecessors.
The charts, however old and imperfect, show that the Isthmus of Kraw is in latitude 10° 31′ north, and that it is about 50 miles wide. It is equidistant from Singapore and Rangoon; and from Bangkok it is about 150 miles south. The territory from sea to sea is under Siamese rule, though it adjoins British possessions.
No extended survey has been made, but the promoters claim after frequent preliminary explorations that the navigable waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Gulf of Siam may be united by a ship-canal 80 miles long at a cost not exceeding $20,000,000; that between India and China 500 miles of ocean travel would be saved thereby; that the enterprise is entirely practicable and would be remunerative; that it might be built within two years, and that it would be a boon to the commercial world, particularly to France, Great Britain and Siam.
By means of estuaries and rivers on either side it is represented that 40 miles, or one-half the route, would require dredging only, while at no place, save at the watershed of the peninsula, which rises to an altitude of not more than 100 feet above the sea-level, would the excavation be otherwise than comparatively easy and inexpensive.
It is believed that the difficulties to be surmounted in the execution of this work are so small as not to be comparable to those of Suez, Corinth or Panama, and enthusiasts, who are interested in the scheme, speak of these ocean highways, present and prospective, in the same breath, and all as of commanding interest to international trade.
De Lesseps’ company has applied to the Siamese King for a concession of right of way across the Isthmus, to be supplemented by material aid, and the King has said that, if he should favor any, it would be the De Lesseps interest.
[Page 754]This I think is as far as the Siamese Government has gone.
The Kraw canal scheme, as herein set forth, from the stand-point of the projectors, may be rose-colored, but as the French within the past few years have become the canal builders of the world, their convictions upon this and kindred subjects should command respect and should remove this project from the domain of mere speculation.
British authorities in Siam do not regard the enterprise with favor. This may prevent the concession asked for, even though the Siamese Government were satisfied of its feasibility.
Siam has great respect for the opinion of British officials; but the French are persistent; they seem thoroughly in earnest, and they may press their suit until favors asked become favors granted.
I have, &c.,