Chapter II: Preface

I AM indebted to many persons for advice and information in connection with my study of the Panama Canal, and wish to thank particularly His Excellency the Rt. Hon. James Bryce, the Rt. Hon. Lord Avebury, Mr. Claude Mallet, C.M.G., Colonel George E. Church, Colonel George W. Goethals, chairman of the Isthmian Canal Commission, and his colleagues, Colonel W.C. Gorgas, M.D., Major D.D. Gaillard, Major William L. Sibert, Mr. Jackson Smith, and Mr. Bucklin Bishop. Also Major Chester Harding, Mr. Arango, Mr. G.R. Shanton, Chief of Police, Mr. William Gerig (formerly in charge of the Gatun Dam), Mr. Mason W. Mitchell, and Mr. Tracy Robinson.

VAUGHAN CORNISH.

_November_, 1908.

CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION 15

CHAPTER I
HISTORICAL REVIEW 23

CHAPTER II
ON THE CANAL AS IT IS TO BE 45

CHAPTER III
ON THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE CULEBRA CUT, AND ON THE METHODS
EMPLOYED FOR EXCAVATION AND DISPOSAL OF THE SPOIL 79

CHAPTER IV
THE MEN ON THE ISTHMUS 99

CHAPTER V
HEALTH ON THE ISTHMUS AND THE FUTURE OF THE WHITE RACE IN THE
TROPICS 119

CHAPTER VI
ON THE SHORTENING OF DISTANCES BY SEA, AND ON THE STEAMSHIPS
AVAILABLE FOR CANAL TRANSIT 151