Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-04-30

ENGLANp ANp FRANCE-rHE IsLR oFpERIM

ENGLAND AND FRANCE-THE ISLE OF PEklM.
The tone Of the leading organs of public opinion
in England and in France, upon every question in
which the two countries interested is calculated
70 strengthen the apprehension Of speedy and vo-
lent disruption Of their alliance, which has been
very generally entertained ever since the develop
ments which followed the recent attempt upon the
life Of Louis Napoleon The Fictitious entente cor
dale between the two nations which resulted from
their common jealousy and common dread Of the
power Of Russia is no longer paraded by their pub
lie press, but it labOrs seemingly with as much as
siduity TO rouse their slumbering hatred and to nd
pretexts for a rupture, it did a few months ago,
TO give an appearance Of permanence and cordially
to their alliance An illustration of this is furnished
in the comments Of the English and French journals
upon the British occupation Of the Isle of Perrin,
against which France protests and complains as the
last of long list of grievances. The Island of
Perrin is barren rock at the entrance Of the Red
Sea Il has been uninhabited for centuries, and
was occupied some months since by the East India
Company q coal depot for their lines Of steamers
The right Of occupancy Of this barren rock is the
question in dispute between the lately harmonious
allies, and is discussed by their respective journals
in spirit which is calculated if not designed to in
crease their mutual evaporation, and lead to an
open rupture between them. Thus the London
Tines referring to the tone of the French press upon
this question: in article in its issue of the 9Th
inst, says:
position on the continent, not recognising the truth
that their destiny though great is merely European,
seek to follow US over the world, and, without an
object but the qualification Of an uaea5y self sstsea 10
force Themselves into all oar concs7ns
We have had enough of such trifing EVsr siaes
the French press has been forbidden TO discuss domestic
subjects has aIa0ays been searching for some patrv
matter Of this kind and seeking to elevate it into
great political question The Continental journalists
have also thought fit to nsiLuae proposition which
we may as well repudiate at once-nameIy, that the
policy of this country in Asia is to De subordinated
to some general council Of European powers and We
consequently hear Of the occupation Of Perrin being
brought before the Partisan Conference, and Of
collective notes being medtaed on the subject There
is probably no truth in all this; but STILL the exis-
tence Of the report is evidence of notions which we
may as well dissipate ct once. As for Egypt and
the Red Sea- the Intentions of this country sre soon
stated We have no wish to acquire territorial
possessions in those parts, but We will not for
moment tolerate any scheme for interfering with the
great system of fntercommunicstiOu which we sre
now building up.
And again
''As to any nation pretending to a superior or
even an equal position with England in Egypt, it
is out of the question. We have not labored 80
much TO give up now the fruits of our labor Twice
within the last sixty years have British arms pre-
served Egypt to the Porte. In the first of these
conflicts great French army and feet led by the
first Of modern generals, was utterly defeated and
destroyed. Forty years afterwards, when an am
bilious viceroy made war against his sovereign it
was again British force that crushed his preten-
sions. The policy and spirit of England are what
they were in 1898 and l840 Our own rights and
the rights Of the Sultan, we will support as we
have done before against either European or Egyp-
tian ambition. So we would advise those journal
lists who are busyng themselves about English pro-
ceediDgs in the Red Sea, to attend to matters which
more nearly concern themselves. Perrin can only
possibly belong to the Sultan of Turkey, or the
lmaum of MusCat If either of these potentates
chooses to make q reclamation, we shall know how
to deal with it; but any other State will only loose
its time and temper by interfering with the ques.
ton"
Per contra the language of the Paris Pqtris is
equally strong and significant. 1t says:
We are anxious to impress upon tSe public mind
that the taking possession of the Isle of Perrin bv
the English, is a most violent attack upon the in
tegrity Of the Ottoman empire and the prinoiDIe
Of the liberty Of the seas. We are far from wish
ing to raise irritating discussion under present
circumstances but we have choice about tbs
matter. Now is the time to prevent the territorial
usurpstiOn which England is efecting in order that
she may not at later period be able to shelter her
self behind the pretext of q fat aeconpE, and to
invoke the conservation of time The (Frencbl press
is unanimous in affirming that the isle of Perrin
belongs to Turkey by undoubted title; that the
occupation Of this slandby England is illegal and
that she is proceeding to fOrtiy it in defiance of all
rights in order to insure for herself the denomina
ton Of the Red Sea- and monopoly Of the trade with
India. Ought we to confne ourselves to pointing
out the designs of England, the tendencies of her
policy and the perseverance with which she pursUes
her object Is that the only part the press has to
play? Is it enough to record compaoently that
military commission has advised such and such
works, in order that the English forces, doubIy es
tablished on Perrin and on an islet on the Arabian
coast, should be able to cover by a cross fire the
only practicable entrance to the Red Sea ? No.
that is not enough. Will Europe allow these works
to be made? Will she permit the detestable maxim.
81 Cs qHi bon pTsHdrs bon gardsr," to be pre-
dominant in the law of nations That is the true.
the only question; and France, for more reasons
than one cannot hesitate to ask it. On the one
hand if France, without calculating the sacrifices
which such an enterprise imposed upon her. CO.
operated in assuring the independence and integri
ty Of the Ottoman empire, it was not we suppose.
that England in spite of the treaty Of Paris, to
which she is party, should take possession of anv
even the minUtest fraction Of Turkish territory and
make 1t standing point from which to threaten the
commerce Of the world with her cannon.