Polynesian., 1857-01-03

small canals for the purpose of IRRIGATION and sun
ply of water to the Iaborers engaged In the works
According to the estimates of the engineers-esti-
mates formed with full knowledge of the price of
labor and the expense of similar works in Egypt,
the cost of the whole undertaking will amount to
f5 100000. This is a large sum, but it is one
which has been frequently and proftably invested
in great undertakings. 1t is less by onethrd than
the sum expended in the railway from London to
York, or from Paris to Lyons. 1t answers exactly
to one months expenditure of England and France
during the war with Russia. The revenues to be
expected from the undertaking are TO be derived
from the canal dues on ships passing through and
from the sale letting of the lands which shall be
reclaimed from utter barreDness by means of irri-
CATION from the various fresh-water canals-for
among the FIcerOyS concessions to NJ. de Lesseps
is the grant of all waste lands which shall be re-
claimed by irrigation. Almost the whole of the
lsthmus Is waste and barren but it should be re-
collected that this same Isthmus was in ancient
times among the most fertile districts of EgYpt-a
country proVerbial for the fertility Of its soil, ana
that in Egypt water means abundance and fertility
and the want of it waste and barrenness. That
besides the advantages to be derived from a closer
connection with the East-the undertaking advo-
Gated by NJ. de Lesseps has obtained the favor of
men of commerce and finance, is shown by the
fact that no public appeal was needful to collect
the fund necessary for the purpose but that almost
the whole of the eight millions of pounds have
been subscribed by the various nations Of Europe.
| But 1t Is not to be supposed that, the money
found, the course Of the Isthmus of Suez Canal is
clear and free from obstacles The undertaking
has political as well as a commercial side. It
wants still the ratification of the Sultan, and it
wants what is even of more Importance, the sane
ton Of the great Powers of Europe in the shape of
a convention, declaring the proposed canal to be
neutral passage, which shall at all times be open
to the trading ships of all nations. The Sultan is
reported to be personally favorable to the scheme,
but the Turkish government have of late placed
difficulties In its way, and If report says true, these
difficulties mainly to be attributed tor our Am
bassador, Lord de Redclife, who from the first
seemed disposed to adopt hostile attitude with re-
gard TO Nj. de Lesseps' project. The Home Gov
ernment too, though has not openly declared its
hostility has at least treated the proposal of dis
cussng the political question connected with the
SueZ Canal with GOODNESS amounting to aversion.
This we deplore the more the scheme is daily
gaining greater popularity, since it appears to pro-
mise the greatest advantage to the extentOn of our
trade and the confirmation of our power in the
East. All the nations of Europe are agreed in
desiring short shipment to India and Australia by
means of the Isthmus Of Suez Canal. Great Bri-
tain alone stops the way. 1t would be more salts
fIctory TO urge what can be urged against scheme
which, on the face of it, promises US such signal
advantages. At all events, if, is reported, the
Government is opposed to the execution of the ca
nal, we have right to expect that the Government
organs should tell US the reason why?