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

however, denied by the Ottoman Ministry., i
things stand at present, we have the Pachaawl
company in dispute about details ; and the Sa:,,
(as reported) determined on arranging the
(Affair summarily, by ignoring the rights of
sit
party, acting exactly as it he had never before he'
the matter mooted ; and threatening to do, viT,P,
sun ie vicariously through the Pacha, that wive
point of fact, both combined would not dare, o.'
assured of other support, to attempt. Mearitil3
the works on the canal are steadily progrli,
Foreign free labour has been procured in abunuar
to replace the forced labour of the fellahs. And, ;
we are to believe M. de Lesseps's report to
shareholders, the canal is, beyond all doubt, to
speedily and successfully completed. The ePPe.al
,
the Emperor Napoleon's generosity, shouldl
made, may be acceded to without detriment
.to
honour; for a man may voluntarily revise °'ho
decision and amend it without discredit should
find it on investigation to be unjust. That Inv%
but a detail in the principal transaction ; buts
the entire property is, we may say, about to h;
propriated by one who asserts his right to rei%
the gift altogether, and when the person threa,7
with deprivation is not only able, but deter° 0 t
on maintaining possession, why then the matter, t
comes serious, and all the more so as in this 08'
dispute, if carried to the extent of hostilities, won
certainly disturb the already precarious Peacetl
Europe. The Emperor Napoleon has from
outset given: the support of his Governor
and his own personal countenance to
vast undertaking ; and he has so bill id
tified himself with M. de Lesseps's Pr°e',:f
ings that, on the strength of his approbation 13-1,
implied protection, that gentleman has been 013
to form a powerful company, composed exclubrib
of French subjects, and supported exclusivellui
French capital; and, no matter what may °cc
even should war ensue, the French Governtaev
cannot now, even were it so disposed, back o.llt
its responsibility to its own people. Submisal°ll,„
the dictates of the Sultan would not only he F"i,
sidered as a swindle, from a financial point of Vey
but from a political one it would be regarded' on
denounced as a cowardly sacrifice of French hele
interests :d
and to the hostile intrigues of Eug4":o
The works are still being continued, and it renialb
to be discovered " who's to stop them." But. t
amicable adjustment of this Suez Canal question'
a matter of grave importance to England•!l
naturally excites much inquietude amongst taesi
who have attended diligently to the different Phlio
through which it has already passed. Oar Gever
ment have at all times turned the project into ridgy
;
cube, as incapable of paying its cost. But ne"
appears that they have made attempts at enneptan
Cob
tinople to persuade the Sultan to withdraw hiss—b
sent and forbid all further progress. There n.aebi
no doubt, however, that should he persevere,flitla
reported present intention, and should the 'B-03
attempt to carry out his orders and molest de
workmen, a French force would be instantly t
in i
spatched for their protection. Would the rtri,j
such a case, aid the Pacha with Tar B-v
troops ? We cannot believe it, unless it .
well assured of powerful assistance. England
the only country, save France, at all interestei•a
fn
the matter. Are we to suppose that our Weill
ment are prepared to involve us in a war fer,
purpose of supporting the pretensions of the Sn',,,
n
~
But, on the other hand, should the Pachn,e„t,
posing he were peremptorily ordered by the •reitf
to interfere and stop the progress of the yfer 0
refuse to do so, would the Ottoman Governo34
v. enture to coerce him ? We cannot believe t';,
would. hazard a step which must of neceol,l
embroil it with one of its hitherto chief proteet°,3rl
unless encouraged and induced to act by sere.
underhand promptings, which, supposing the ..ce
ports in circulation are well fouuded, are se fb,
kept secret from the British public. That "a,
Pacha would decline to obey the orders of tßcil
Porte were he called upon to act hostilely toWarri
the agents of the Suez Canal Company is ,e3,,,°11
than probable—first, because he has a very
personal interest in the undertaking, and h.ebi
because he might have no objection, Under :ey
aegis of France, to raise a dispute with
which might eventually restore Syria to EgYP";O4
rid him of his vassalage. That the French Gevv"ad
ment must at any risk defend the possessions a".l
stipulated rights of the canal company, should th'il
be attacked, cannot be doubted; and, when Wee
bear in mind that the French have, ever sine fo
° tv
time of the Republic, entertained a strong desire be
the possession of Egypt, we can appreciate tot
danger of affording them a legitimate excuse '
sending an armed force there,