Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-07-16
The Isthmus of fSuez-The suez Canal
and the Trade with China.

From the Pail Mall Gazette. June 2O.]
The visit of the Viceroy, obviously con-
nected with the opening of the Suez
Canal, is sufficiently convenient occa-
sion for pointing out some results which
the great work OF NJ. Lssseps is likely to
| produce. No doubt next autumn, after
| the festivals of the inauguration, all the
European papers will be filled with de-
tailed explanations of matter which as
yet the greater part of Europe seem to
regard as thing only in its infancy.
| With the exception of France, which is
| interested in the canal in its double cspa-
city of proprietor and of a merchant
who, through it, must come into the pos
session OF the whole trade of Egypt,
Austria is the only country that has
taken any practical steps in anticipation
of the changes the canal must unavoid-
ably produce in the relations of Europe
with Asia, and more especially with
China and japan. The Government OF
Vienna, perfectly aware of the import
ance which the port of Trieste is about
to acquire, has sent an important expedi-
ton to the chiet places of Eastern Asia,
with view to inquire into the conditions
of their trade, as we'll as to introduce
samples of Austrian manufactures into
the new markets. The result of this ex-
pedition must be, no doubt, of great i'm
portance for Austria, and its return is
looked forward to with oil the more eager
ness as the expedition is believed to have
been formed in more satisfactory man.
ner than might have been expected OF
bureaucratic Austria. 1t seems to be
composed Of several practical men OF
unquestionahle competence. No other
continental nation has as yet done any
thing in this way, although the interests
of all of them are involved in this matter,
and must, we fear, turn to the dissdvan-
tage of England if it will not take any
special steps in accordance with the new
circumstances, some Of which we shall
here indicate.
The impulse which the Suez Canal
must give to the trade of Spain, Italy and
Greece may be left out of view as being
of mere local interest in consequence OF
the very nature of the chief products OF
those countries But If, also, we put
aside France, which will apply its com
mercial energies chiefly and for the first
time to the development of the Egyptian
trade, we shall be obliged to admit that
the changes likely to take place in the
trade of the rest of Europe will be very
considerable indeed. Trieste, Odessa,
Taganrog and the.mouth of the Danube
must attain in few years an Importance
that they never possessed before, and
which might easily raise them in some
resnects TO the rank of Msrseilles, if not
TO that of Liverpool or Southampton.
Presuming that two parcels of goods OF
the same quality and at the same price
are consigned to China, the one from
Trieste or Odessa, the other from Lon
don. the former will have ell the advsn-
tages of considerably reduced freight,
and Of about ten to twelve days less
travel. Such conditions must inevitably
benefit the productions OF Austria, as well
as Of Russia, at the expense OF England,
Holland, and partly of France. To
Austria and Russia may be added also
part of Germany. German factories, att
uated at q distance Of about eight 10
twelve hours BY rail from Vienna, viii
obtain all the advantages OF communi-
cation with Eastern Asia BY small ships
loading at Vienna and sailing down the
Danube, the Black Sea, aud the Suez
Canal, without any Inconvenience or re-
shipping. OF course, great advantage
will still be on tie side Of the best pro-
dnce; but 10 the trade with Asia the
price is more looked to than the quality,
and it is very likely that this state OF
things win continue for . long time.
Moreover, It Is not at all probable that
Germany, the trade being established,