New-York daily tribune., 1863-09-02
TesE ~tgZ CANAL.

A iew months ago. tbs English papers, with
rare unauin.iy and unconcoalcd satisfaction,
announced whA, they conceived the be the fail
urc of the French schc,nc to construct Il canal
nAyigablc by large vessels from Suez Ia Pclu-
..un. The BRUSH Embas,ador in CONSTANT
nople bal al length succeeded in inducing the
Sultan - exercise for once his nominal night Of
Sovereignty over Egypt and 10 demand an cs-
,entlal alteration OF the agreement made be-
tween The Pa,ha Of Egyp, and the French Suez
Canal Company. The compulsory labor OF the
Egyptian workmen (fcllahs) was to cease, and
they were. instead, 20 be fI.rly hired. The
gran, Of lnni made to the Company was to be
II pcalcd fof pccuniary compensation. Thirdly,
suf,iccn, guarantees were TO be given for the
neutrality Of the canal.
These directions did not contain an absolute
prohibition Of The enterprise; but the English
pres felt little or no doubt that their enforce
mcnt would soon compel the French 20 abandon
the scheme. They argued that repeal Of the
grant Of land and guaranteed neutrality Of the
canal could take away nearly all the political
advantages for the sake Of which alone il was
evident France was patronizing the project,
while, on the other hand, 1t was considered i'm
possible 20 hire sufficient amount Of labor for
completing the work.
The French Company. or rather the motive
power that stood behind it, the French Govern.
mcnt, was however, not terrified go easily. The
Company a, once assured the public that no in
tcrruption would take place in the work, and
tha, no doubt need be- entertained about its COM
plelion. The French Government used its whole
influence, both in Constantinoplc and in Cairo,
in the interest Of the Company. Finally, a
Judgment in favor of the practicability Of the
scheme was obtained from an English engineer,
Mr.. Hawshaw, who, after long examination of
the works in progress, reversed the contrary
judgment Of Mr.. Robert Stephenson and ex-
pressed his opinion that the work could be COM
pleted and kept in repair for IA sum not very
much more than originally estimated.
The Turkish Government felt, of course not a
little embarrassment in consequences Of the antag-
onistic intrigues Of England and France. 1t was
regarded safest to make both Governments show
tnclT nullus oPcnly anu u uiSpat'h was collst-
qucntly addressed to both, requesting them as
"the two most sincere allies" of the Sultan to
assist him in bringing the suez Canal difficulty
to solution.
The result of this note was an apparent COM
promise between England and France. SO, at
least, it was announced by the English press.
The grant Of land was to be relinquished, guar
antics of the neutrality of tho canal were to be
given; but, on the other hand, the Company
was TO be authorized to continue to employ
forced labor. After the execution of this COM
promise, The Times remarked, England should
have every little concern with the matter" If
France by the construction Of the canal, de.
signed any attack upon England, the new ar
rangements would render them impracticablc ;,
If the susccp;ibilies of the French should be ir-
rtated by the security taken against these pos
sblc purposes, they must remember " that such
purposes were first avowed by themselves" If
they were annoyed at tho doubts Of England Of