The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-17
The SOaz Canal,

A good deal of ScnsitiVcneSs has always been
manifested in England in regard 10 this great
enterprise. which, according 10 some accounts
has been finished. The English journalists
manifest considerable incrcdulity upon this
point SOME of them stoutly maintain that the
work is not practicable. But French engi-
neers. under the auspices OF the sagaclous ana
pcrscyering Emperor, are pushing 1t steadily
onward The remarkable man who Yields The
Sceptrr of France may yet strike Il more sue
cessful blow At British supremacy by ms COM
mcrcal and geographical enterprises III lhe
East than III American supremacy 10y his occu-
patton OF Mexico.
That treat undertaking, the SucZ canal, was
long Il subject Of European intrigue, Ill when
the tactics Of France finally Nanqui>hcd those
of Great Britain. Tie enterprise caused much
Indignation and Il good deal of ridicule Ill Eng
land But while orr own war was being
wagcd. the work on the Sucz canal has been
going on, and we have now the announcement
that il is completed. The reader will perceive
at glance the manner in which English inter
estS swill be affected by this great work. 1t
/ leads from the port of Said. on III" south coast
of the Mediterranean sea. 10 the port OF S''e|
on the Red sea. Across The latter there's unre'
stricIed passag" 10 the Straits OF Babclm;tn-
deb. through which cntranceis obtained TO the
great Indian ocean, which washes The shores
of Arabia Persia, Hindoo>tan, md the Bur
man Empire, and which furnishes passage by
the Straits of Nalacca 10 the Pacific ocean,
and along the whole eastern coast by SIAN,
China and Japan clean up 10 The Russian pos
sessions.
The whole of this immense country has
IA;
peans by passing out of the Mediterranean
sea. through the Straits OF Gibraltar, and
sailing down the entire western coast OF Africa
to the Cape of Good Hope, and then north
west 10 the entrance of the Indian ocean n
the Straits of Babelmandcb. England, by its
westerly position, had tho easiest course TO
India; and Continental Europe, by the natu-
raj obstacles to the voyage, We're at disad-
yantages in prosecuting commerce win
Southern India. But the opening of the Sucz
canal brings Greece, Turkey, Austria, Italy,
and France almost in Il direct northern ana
northwestern line with this new channel oil
commerce. 1t opens to them opportunities
which they never before possessed, ana OF
which they will not be slow 10 take advantage.
Syracuse may be said 10 be- the port nearest
This great gateway TO the South. Trieste,
/ '
Ion, and Marseilles may struggle for the rich
trade with Malta and Constantinoplc. Eng
land is left in the rear of commerce, and the
French domination over this important means
of communication i; supposed 10 bode no good
TO the fast anchored isle.
/ The consequences of this great enterprise
upon the destincs of the world may BE- con-
! iectured The commercial supremacy Of Eng
/ land will be damaged by continental rivalry.
/ Nations which have slumbered during the
race of Improvement will wake up, and the
pride and commercial haughtiness of the Bri-
fish will be distanccd and humblcd. III the
event of a war between England and France,
! the safety of the British Empire III India
would be very much endangered, Whilst
! Jonx Bull would be sending his transports by
! the tedious voyage around Africa, the French
could send their troops through the SueZ ca
nal by the hundred thousand, and long before
the British remforccments could reach The
mcnaced territories of India the problem Of
! occupation would be solved.