Freeman's champion., 1858-05-20
Isle Of Perrin.

LAS pIcseut uVnO Vi contention III
European political circles, besides
tEat Of the late trial and acluital OF
Dr.. Bernard by an English jury for
cumplicity in the Orsini's attempt up
on the life Of Louis Napoleon, is the
occupation by England of small
island whose name heads this article.
1t is not atall unlikely that tho French
Emperor may make this an excuse
fortho contest which he seems dos-
rous of embroiling himself in with
the British nat
Perrin is situated in the straits Of
Babelmandel, that connects the wa
ters of the Red Sea with those of the
Indian Ocean. 1t occupies the mar
rowest portion Of the strait, and com
mands the passage, dividing it into
channels, only one Of which is prac-
tical for the purpose Of navigation,
and that is only a little over a mile
in width 1t is one Of the strongest
positions in the eastern waters, and
has aptly been compared to the i'm
pregnable rock OF Gibraltar. Well
fortified, this Island would elfectuaIly
command the entrance to the Red Sea;
which would consequently forever
remain under the control Of the occu-
pant of the fortress. OF this island
tbe English government took peace
able possession in 1899, by consent
Of the Sultan Of Turkey, the only
power that had any right to say any
thing about it, They erected forti-
ications upon it and occupied it for
u few years, but in 1903 it was aban-
doned, and it has rem ,inel with.
out inhabitants till the present time.
A few months ago the English,
through the agency of the East India
Company, repewel possession of it
and began to restore the dilapidated
forts and build new ones, with view
to its permanent occupancy. Eng
land claims it by right Of oocu patton
by grant from Turkey, and on the
GROUND that her vessels are the only
ones that traverse the waters OF the
Rel Sea, and that it is necessary as a
depot for coal anl'provisions for the
India mail steamers aud merchants
transports. 1t Is directly in the route
Of travel between Cairo or Sisz and
Bombay, ami it seems naturally to
tflIl in til, way ofthc British govern
mcnt to people AMI iortify this de-
serted island for her convenience and
protection, no other nation having
ever laid claim to it, or manifested
the least interest in it. To England
| its possession is Of the utmost impor-
tance, now that the overland route to
her India colonies, by way of Suez
and the Red Sea, is permanently es'
tablished. This being now the route
by which the mails and nearly all the
passenger travel between England
and India, China and Australia reg
ulsrly passes.
The position of this point is very
important, AMI the French papers
have made angry protests against its
present occupation. 1t Is the gate Of
the Red Sea, and commands the
whole OF the important Indian COM
merce which il will on the compile
ton Of the Suez Ship Canal. 1t is
umored that Russia has also united
with France in the dispute. The
Northern Bear has long entertained
hopes Of Indian conquests, and it is
not to be- wondered at, that he should
growl when its only formidable rival
thus steals march upon him. AS
the proceeding is cnrcgle all that
both powers can do, is to growl.
John Bull will probably maintain
possession.
Chnching the Nail.
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