Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1876-01-09
The EASTERN QUESTION.

ImE EASlERN 4CGShhVNs
The startling intelligence recently
rcceired that the Rristish Govern
ment had secured control of the Suez
Canal, the construction of which was
50 vigorously opposed by the late
Lord Palmerston, has caused much
and varied comment from all quar-
tiers. This action Of Mr.. Disrseli, in
purchasing 10000 shares of the
stock, thus enabling the British Gov
ernment to secure preponderan' in
terest in this valuable enterprise, il Is
reasonable to suppose, would not have
been taken except for very important
reasons. This step was taken no
doubt for the purpose of maintaining
the neutrality of Egypt and the
safety of the canal at every hazard,
tor the British Government would
not have been 50 prompt and decisive
in thus acting unless some serious
complications are to arise. There is
no doabt but that this acquisition
will prove of vast importance to the
Government; but it will be of much
more important benefit to Egypt and
to the cause of the worlds progress
generally. Prosperity will again
visit the hanks of the Nile, and
under the guidance of British enter
prise, protected by British arms, there
will arise grander Egypt than the
Pharsohs ever dreamed of. The
ancient Pyramids, instead of sepul-
chres and monuments of departed
greatness. will mark the epoch of
mo fern Industry and diplomacy
the era of a new commerce that
carries to their feet greatness and
prosperity. Even the stony face of
the Sphynx, rutsed with the marks
Of centuries, should tighten up with
the advent Of an enno5ling civil
zation. /, is fitting that a genius,
springing from once deposed race,
should be the pilot, the guiding Star,
70 the resurrection Of = degraded one.
1t cannot I've wondered az that the
thus securing by the British Govern
nent of the control of this great
highway should have caused II sensa-
ton among the Great Powers.
France, whose labor and money did
most TO accomplish the construction
OF the work, finds now, 10 her sorrow,
II has slipped from her grasp. She
feels the loss, for the controlling in
teres, was offered her before il was
made to England. Russia also feels
she has been outgeneraled and sur
priscd, and she fully admits the inn
portant advantage gained by Eng
land in the purchase. While not
denying that the British Government,
had a perfec, righ, TO make the pur-
chase, still il is limited that the bar
gain should not have been closed
until a general conference of the
Great Powers had taken place. The
visit of Prince Gortschakoff to the
Emperor William. just at this period,
is suspicious. There is no doubt
that the visit has something TO do
with the recent act of Disraeli, and
to advise as to the action of Russia.
Austria and Germany in the premises
In view of this state of affairs, and
the fat denials of officials all over
Europe, there are rumors Of war in
the Spring. This superstition is
strengthened by the suggestive re-
marks of King Victor Emanuel, who.
in late speech, mentioned the pos
sihility of important events trans
piring in Europe which would re-
quire the cooperation of the army"
The fiseting hours are big with fate /;
bat there are still strong hopes tina.
the Great Bowers will not rush into
war. The dismemberment of Tur-
key. in which the three great Em-
perors are interested, may be the
lever TO bring about hostilities. 1t
is impossible 70 doubt that the near
future win BE- productive of great
results.