The daily gazette., 1875-12-15
From the Ba timore Gazette.
THE sUEZ CANAL

ne excitement CTcutCu IN EuIOpt
by the purchase by England of con-
trolling interest in the SueZ Canal, con.
tinues to increase. 1t appears that the
Khedive. who has been spending a
great deal of money, found himself at
last, like many other gentlemen OF
lavish habits, in fiuapcial difficulties.
and to rep!enish his depleted exchequer
was compelled to sell his most availa'
BILE assets. These proved TO be his
shares in the Sucz Canal. He offered
them first to France, but France de-
clincd to buy. He then made the offer
to England, and it was jumped at by
Mr.. Disraeli. Any one who had read
the earlier novels of the now british
Premier will appreciate the clcveiness
with which the Saturday Rertetc touch
es with a light handlthe double motive
impelling him to make the purchase;
Even the political importance of
the step which the English Govern
ment has taken in purchasing pre-
ponderating interest in the Suez Canal
Company will scarcely impress the
public so much as the thought of the
extreme delight with which Mr.. Dis
raeli must have done what he has done.
1t is in his own style OF gorgeouspesss.
In a moment be interiors in the East,
he commits his country to new ad-
venture, he handles about his millions
like half pence. He gives an order on
the GoldcR Lions of the Throne of
judah, and bids Viccroy draw at
sight on Sidonia for four millions. To
have lived to make Duke. which was
the dream of Vivian Grey. is nothing
compared with having lived to realize
the magnificent visions of Coningsby."
When the transaction was closed he
made no public announcement of what
he had done, but remained discreetly
silent until the transfer was reported
from other quarters. Even then he
affected to treat ii as an ordinary busi.
ness affair. In this he was wise. Mr..
SmaIley, the London correspondent of
the Tribune, and an excellent Judge in
cases where his radical views do not
warp his opinions, writes in his last
letter:
cit seems to me that Mr.. Disraeli-
for he is the Ministry and his the only
will in the Government-showe al
most as much boldness in this was OF
letting the act publish itself as in re-
solving on the act. He showed at any
rate, that he understands the English
people. There has not been moments
hesitation in their answer. Liberals
have wed with Conservatives in ap.
plauding a decision which once more
.sserts England's claim to an imperial
position; which puts an end to all
doubt, if doubt there were, that she
means to maintain her empire, peace
ably if she can, forclbly if she must
The blunders which had brought the
Administration SO low that already q
leading liberal had been heard to pre-
dict that the Tories would be out in
another year, are forgotten. TIL, y
will be recollecteG by and by, no doubt
but for the moment the Government
has the whole country behind them
| and That is fact which foreign Pow
| ers fave to take into account in making
up Ieirs judgment on the situation
new, presnnented to them"
Al noHticfMr. Disraeli is going tc
| crcn anCtml signalizc his achieveme nj
byl in Aposing naval demonstration
H la5 ordered the East India Squad
ron of six frigates, manned by th rec
thousand men, together with theil
tenders and supply vessels, to pass
through the canal into the Mediterran.
can. There is something very capi
waiting in this whole movement, and
we are not surprised that the English
people are as joyously animated over
1T as playground of schoolboys when
their champion has bearded the town
bully.
The satisfaction manifested over the
affair indicates, moreover, the deer
sense OF relief which they feel from
what is regarded as silentbut signifi.
cant reminder to the other Powers thai
Great Britain has abandoned her pu-
sillanous policy of non-interference
and ia the future intends to be hearc
in the councils of nations. Notwith
standing all that has been said of hel
sluggishness and her selfish shop.keep
ing proclivities,n no intelligent man car
doubt that if she takes again an active
part in European affairs her alliance
will have a preponderating weight in
the political scale. The purchase Of
the Suez Canal proves, at least. tha.
Great Britain is preparing herself fol
aUapfna1it,ac