New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-02
Tie C1N1L GVfRANTEES.

The text OF Lord GTanvlles circular 10 the
Powers On Egyptian affairs, which We find in
the English e, changes, contains eight specific
rules resyecting the Suez Canal. These regula-
tions have been accurately stated in the cable
dispatches ard We see no reasDn To modify the
views which we have recently expressed in re-
gard to them. The first declares that the
canal shall be free for the passage of all ships
IN any circumstances. The second imposes IN
time of war n limitation of time as to ships OF
war of belligerent remaining IN the canal.
and forbids tho Decentralization of troops and
munitions of war. The third prohibits hostil-
ties in the canal or its approaches or "else-
where ID tn territorial waters OF Egypt, even IN
the event of Turkey being one OF the beliiger-
ents.r The fourth exempts measures neces-
sary for the defence Of Egypt from the two fore
going rules. The fifth. anticipating any viola
ton Of the third rule, binds any Power whose
war vessels do any damage to the canal to
bear the cost of its immediate repair. The sew
enth prohibits the erection of f. rtlhcatlons ON
the canal or in its vicinity. The remaining two
rules define the rights of the Egyptian Govern
ment. 1t will be observed that the only prlyi-
lcge from which England cuts herself of is
that OF fortifying the mouths of the canal I'm
der the fourth rule she reserves to her,elf the
right of occupying the cana, discriminating
troops and munitions of war, and of fighting
not only IN the channel itsof, but elsewhere
in the territorial waters of Egypt That is to
saw. under the proposed international guar
antees, the British irOuclads can again batter
down the Notifications of Alexandria and en-
gage in artillery practice at Aboukir aud
Rosetta, and General WOlseley can make Ia
MALTA the Dase of active military operations,
provided these measures are necessary for the
defence Of Egypt" Indeed Lord Granville
does not admit that the na|al and military
operations of last summer were in any way
"infrngements of this general principle" lie
would probably deny that there was techni-
cally ANYTHING like u wal in Egypt. The
Kbedive, he would say, was provided tempo
rariIy with foreign army or police force, and
the British we're in no sense of the word bellig-
ereuts. but only a useful aud benevolent ally
The second rule ia, az we cOntendod a fort
night ago, a positive limitation on the use of
the canal az a harbor OF refuge. II Great Brit
ain and France we're at war. their fleets could
not remain in the canal for an indefinite
period they would have to craise a league
or more outside either mouth; and after
a stated time q French vessel of war at
Port Said or Suez would have to run
the British blockade. Under the Clayton Bull
wer Treaty the Panama Canal would he 4 har-
tor of refuge for an indefinite period to war
vessel of either beligerent In the Surz Canal
this right will be restricted The rule, how
ever, is not one that can be easily enforced
How can q fret or a single vessel be elected
from the channel, il it refuses to go ont when
the time expires Certainly the Egyptian
Government will DO powerless to enforce the
rule, if no Notifications are to be allowed on
the banks The war vessel remaining in the
canal after the period sanctioned by interna-
tional agreement will have to be expelled by
other war vessels. This would involve naval
operations in the channel or in its approaches
/" 1t would be lawful" says The Pal Mall Ga
sette, to enforce obedience 10y belligerent Oper-
"ations in the canal. The Egyptian Govern
"ment could invite the ships of any Of the sig
"natory Powers to assist IN enforcing the con-
editions of the treaty" That is to say, if Eng
land and France were at war; the Khedve
could invite the British admiral TO send few
cruisers into the canal and drive out a French
war vessel, possibly sinking her in tho at
tempt. This could be done ON international
grounds. although it might not be necessary
for the defence Of Egypt; and the bill of dam
ages could BIZ charged to England under the
fifth rule.
There Is one contingency for which no pro-
vision Is made in these regulations What
would happen if the Khedive should declare
war upon England Obviously. Egypt could