The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-11 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

TIMES.—The reception given to the Prince and
Princess of Wales in Denmark and Sweden deserves
recognition no less than commemoration at our•
hands. The public have already learnt the principal
incidents of this remarkable progress. The succes-
sion of festivities, the exhibitions of rarities, the
display of national characteristics, and all the vari-
ous entertainments which countries so interesting
and so hospitable could offer, have been described
from day to day in these columns, but while we read
the story we should do well to reflect on the popular
spirit which such a cordiality of welcome expressed.
Not only by Kings and Princes, but by all the
people of the land—not only in Denmark, but in
Sweden too, have the illustrious visitors been re-
ceived with a fervour of kindness which no thoughts
of political difficulty were permitted to alloy. The
Princess of Wales is a Danish lady, and the alli-
ance between the royal families of England and
Denmark is of the nearest kind, but the Danes,
nevertheless, are in distress, and they might be
pardoned for believing, though the belief would be
wrong, that their distress could have been averted
by the mere will of this country. At any rate they
probably calculated on obtaining from us more sup-
port than they received, and such disappointments,
however unavoidable, are apt to leave a little anger
behind. But no such feeling tinged the welcome
with which the visit of the Prince and Princess was
hailed. Not if English arms had actually preserved
the Duchies for Denmark could Denmark have
shown greater or more affectionate hospitality to
her illustrious guests, while Sweden, with less obvi-
ous incentives to such demonstrations, was equally
forward in displaying them. The extension,
indeed, of the royal tour from Copenhagen
to Stockholm has produced an extraordinary ma-
nifestation of Swedish opinion, and we should be
less sensible than Englishmen are supposed ter be if
we did not recognize and appreciate so friendly a
disposition on the part of a noble and distinguished
nation. Sweden was not invited to these cordial de-
monstrations of amity by the claims of a fresh alli-
ance, nor does there subsist between her and Eng-
land that traditional connexion which links us to
Denmark. It might indeed be imagined that modern
Sweden would be rather French than English in
its taste and leanings, but this Royal visit has
shown the effinity of race and congeniality of disc
position preponderate over other influences, and
that in national sympathies the Northmen are
Northmen still. Sweden promptly joined handswith
Denmark in giving a welcome to England, and the
desire evinced by all classes of thenation to cultivate
the friendship of Englishmen has been remarkable
and gratifying in the extreme. It is the more re.
markable, indeed, as being so uninvited. The pre-
sent relations of the two countries, though perfectly
amicable, involve little practical approximation.
The political intercourse is less than it was two cen-
turies ago, commercial intercourse is comparatively
slight, and social intercourse slighter still. Even
our national passion for travel does not carry Eng-
lishmen in any number to Sweden, nor do the
singular attractions of Swedish field sports draw
many British sportsmen acr ass the German Ocean.
Sweden is less known to us probably than Spain,
and yet there were times when even Spain was of
less importance to Europe and England than this
rugged country of Sweden. If what has happened
once may happen again, we may see the Swedes
govern the destinies of Europe. Twice, indeed,
has this part been theirs, once under Gustavus
Adolphus, and once under Charles XII., and if
the life of Charles Gustavus had been pro-
longed it is possible that another of such
epochs might have been created_ We have
talked little of Sweden lately, but at the great
settlement of Europe, in 1648, she was one of the
dispensing Powers ; she counted for as much as we
ourselves did in the Triple Alliance, and in those
days her military reputation eclipsed that of most
other States. Perhaps it was from a recollection of
these traditions as well as on other grounds that the
title of Sweden to participate in European settle-
ments was recognised in 181.5; but it will occur to
every reflecting reader that the nation which now
volunteers so hearty an expression of goodwill to
England is a nation the alliance of which has been
valuable in times past. ana may p.vl-..r.
in times to co ne. These are days when international
acquaintance can really do a good deal. It is not
that popular sympathies overrule political alliances,
but that a people like the English have the power
of effecting much apart from any political transac
Lions whatever. We possess in abundance that in
which most countries are deficient—capital. We
have plenty of money, and we are equally ready to
tipgnikeEctiojinmt it. Show us a country with strik-
sports, and a genial ' population, and our gold will
flow there in torrents. Show us a country again,
with mines, minerals, or any other species of native
wealth, and we can find the means by which that
wealth may be developed. Something of this sort
we think ought to flow from the disposition which
the Swedes have shown during this Royal visit.
In receiving their princely guests they made open
demonstration of their feeling towards England,
and such feelings are precisely those by which
Englishmen are attracted. Perhaps we are a
little unreasonable in our travelling demands, but
we are always allured by civility and goodwill, and
this is what we have been taught to anticipate in
Sweden. Let it not be thought that popular sym-
pathies go for nothing because they are no longer
recognised as ground for war. We did not go to
war for Denmark, but if the Danes will reflect they
will see that we did everything short of this. When
the question of the Dachies was first constituted by
the demise of the Crown, we were ready to abide
by the Treaty of 1852—more ready indeed than any
other Power. When the dispute broke out we ex-
pressed our opinion of its rights, and we gave Den-
mark advice which, if followed, would have miti•
gated the results of the strife. We did the Danes
one good turn after another at successive stages of
the quarrel, and though no party in the State would
accept the responsibility of advising war, there was
no secret made of the sympathies and feelings of the
people. We consider such sympathies as valuable,
and we look with extreme satisfaction on the na•
tional disposition of the Danes which this Royal
visit has disclosed: The people of Denmark and
Sweden may confidently assure themselves that not
a particle of their friendship has been thrown away.
We have followed step by step the progress of the
Royal pair from capital to capital, frum castle to
castle, and from one public assembly to another, and
we have marked the demonstrations of affectionate
welcome with which an English Prince and Prin-
cess were everywhere received. We have learnt
the feeling entertained towards this country in the
old kingdoms of the North, and there is enough of
Northern blood in us to render reciprocity easy, and
to insure, we trust, a cordial and advantageous con•
nexion between States so similarly minded and so
amicably disposed.

HERALD.—If we are to give credence to reports
from the East the completion of the Suez Canal is
likely to encounter political as well as natural ob-
structions, After having submitted the case, as
between themselves and the shareholders of the
company carrying on that undertaking, to the
arbitration of the Emperor Napoleon, the Egyptian
Government finds itself saddles with a debt of over
three millions sterling, to reimburse the company
for the restitution of a portion only of the vast con-

cession which was gratuitously granted them. The
Emperor's decision appears to have astonished and
dissatisfied the Pacha and his Ministry ; and an apa
peal is, it is said, about to be made to his justice, in
the hope of obtaining a modification of his award.
This appeal, if made, may doubtless be responded to,
and the decision so much objected to may be revised
and modified, so as to render the sacrifice to be made
less onerous to the Egyptians, even at the risk of
dissatisfying the French shareholders, who have
already accepted with acclamation, as well they
might, the result of an arbitration which at once
provides them with capital not only sufficient to com-
plete their undertaking, but, in addition, to replace
a very considerable portion of the funds already ex-
pended, But the disagreement between the Pacha
and the Suez Canal Company, no matter how ar.
ranged, is of small importance when compared with
the " difficulty"—to use an Americanism—which
seems likely to arise between both those parties and
the Porte. The Pacha is bound by his engagements
to permit the execution of the canal, in which he
has also a large parsonal interest as a shareholder;
but the Ottoman Government disclaims all partici-
pation in that agreement, ignores the act of its vas-
sal, and, chiming the right to exercise its power as
suzerain, refuses to consent to any compromise
whatever, and insists on the works in progress
being at once discontinued, although it is asserted
by M. de Lesseps—and we must suppose with
truth, for otherwise it is not likely that the
company would have been so foolish as to lay
out its money on a work attended with such great
expense without having a sufficient guarantee for
its security—that the necessary assent was
in reality obtained from the Porte before the ccra-
rnencement of operations, through the medium of
the French Government, an assertion Which is now,

however, denied by the Ottoman Ministry. Ae
things stand at present, we have the Pacha and thel
company in dispute about details ; and the Sultan
,_
(as reported) determined on arranging the whole
summarily, by ignoring the rights of either.
party, acting exactly as if he had never before heard
o
the matter mooted ; and threatening to do, we pre
sume vicariously through the Pacha, that which, ~
point of fact, both combined would not dare, eel
assured of other support, to attempt. Mean tltil
the works on the canal are steadily progressing:
Foreign free labour has been procured in abundant
to replace the forced labour of the fellalas. And, if
we are to believe M. de Lesseps's
shareholders, the canal is, beyond all doubt, tvieto
speedily and successfully completed. The apPe.vA._,
the Emperor Napoleon's generosity, should it
made, may be acceded to without detriment
.to
honour;.. for a man may voluntarily revise his °be
decision and amend it without discredit, should, co
find it on investigation to be unjust. That incolvis„
but a detail in the principal transaction ; but wb",
the entire property is, we may say, about to be le
report to
propriated by one who asserts his right to rer
the gift altogether, and when t tle person threat ti
s:O7
with deprivation is not only tithe, but deterailt!'_",
on maintaining possession, why then the matter bee
comes serious, and all the more so as in this ease t
dispute, if carried to the extent of hostilities, w°
°f
certainly disturb the already precarious peace he
Europe. The Emperor Napoleon has from the
outset given the support of his Goveratatio
and his own personal countenance to un,
vast undertaking ; and he has so fully IdeA,
!ified himself with M. de Lesseps's proeee'd
ings that, on the strength of his approbation an
implied a
. protection, that gentleman has been enabled
to form a powerful company, composed exclusively
of French subjects, and supported exclusively
French capital; and, no matter what maY °cell
even should war ensue, the French Governnlev
cannot now, even were it so disposed, back out 0.
its responsibility to its own people. Submission to.
the dictates of the Sultan would not only be non
sidered as a swindle, from a financial point of 'III
but from a political one it would be regarded avr
denounced as a cowardly sacrifice of French hell
andinterests to the hostile intrigues of EDO°. ;
The works are still being continued, and it remavi„
to be discovered " who's to stop them." But tb.'„
amicable adjustment of this Suez Canal question
a matter of grave importance to Engiand, vile
naturally excites much inquietude amongst 000
who have attended diligently to the different phut
through which it has already passed. Our Gover.ii.
ment have at all times turned the project into ri
cute, as incapable of paying its cost. But 1101,
appears that they have made attempts at Constsni
tinople to persuade the Sultan to withdraw his c 01,19
sent and forbid all further progress. There eav,,is
no doubt, however, that should he persevere in mh's
reported present intention, and should the live'
attempt to carry out his orders and molest be
workmen, a French force would be instantly' de
spatched for their protection. Would the r°rt:ii;
in such a case, aid the Pacha with Turkish
troops ? We cannot believe it, unless it We'is
well assured of powerful assistance. England is
the only country, save France, at all interested
the matter. Are we to suppose that our Gove,rbo
merit are prepared to involve us in a war for
purpose of supporting the pretensions of the Sults%
But, on the other hand, should the Pacha, °lite
posing he were peremptorily ordered by the Pvri,"6
to interfere and stop the progress of the vivr'ni
refuse to do so, would the Ottoman
Governiort
venture to coerce him ? We cannot believe tiv
it would hazard a step which must of necessity
embroil it with one of its hitherto chief protect°, ;
unless encouraged and induced to act by sell!,
underhand promptings, which, supposing the 14
ports in circulation are well founded, are as Y;a
kept secret from the British public.' That t1%.,4-
Pacha would decline to obey the orders of tß,,ji
Porte were he called upon to act hostilely WO%
the agents of the Suez Canal Company is rats
than probable—first, because he has a very begs
personal interest in the undertaking, and v,ee--0
because he might have no objection, under r
weis of France, to raise a dispute with Torbli
which might eventually restore Syria to EgYPt a 0
rid him of his vassalage. That the French Gove'rl3-a
ment must at any risk defend the posseesions an,
stipulated rights of the canal company, should tha;
be attacked, cannot be doubted; and, when who
bear in mind that the French have, ever sines tir
time of the Republic, entertained a strong desire fat
time of the Republic, entertained a strong desitStbe
the possession of Egypt, we can appreciate tot
danger of effirding them a legitimate excuse le'
sending an armed force there,