Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1888-05-23

Ateof oove30l ye9eo 81 tkut4toG6 1oGC-
tiataon, England and Ffance hAye Con-
clud6d . convention, or asaessaHr4. re-
lAting to the NE Of The famous Eues
Canal Ia time OF war.
The long artificial waterway-one Of
tho most brilliant triumphs d modern
engineering - greatly shortsns the
water route between Europe and Asia,
and hence il has always boon Of high
Importance to England, in view OF hor
vast possessions in the East, 10 keep
control Of il. or At least TO see that
il did not fall under the control Of any
other European power. England not
only holds more than one third Of the
share OF the canal-176, Coz, ont OF $685..
S45--but her subjects possess many Of
its bonds Nearly five-sixths Of the
vessels, moreover, which pass 10 and
fro through the canal on their pyramids
Of commerce, fly the British flag. Yet,
further, England holds, ct present, the
military possession of Egypt through
the territory Of which the canal passes.
We're q wal 10 break out between En-.
gland and Russian event which
never seems improbable-it would lie
very essential to British interests that
her men-of-war and transports should
make their way 10 India ~ way OF the
Suez Canal; for, il that were closed to
them, they would have to 60 round
Africa, doubling the Cape OF Good
Hope. as all vessels from European
ports bound for India used TO do be-
fore the Suez Canal was opened to
navigation. Surprising India or Afghan.
istan to be the seat OF such . war, il
would he necessary for England to
reach 1t with her home troops and sup
plies as DON Is possible, and this 10 the
chief military reason why England ID
bound 70 maintain such . control in the
canal as she ct present has.
The interest Of France in the canal
is that it was built by 3 great French
engineer, M. de Lesseps; that II was q
French enterprise. mainly constructed
by French capital; that tho French still
retain a large financial and some com.
mercial and military stake in it, and
that France is jealous OF English as
cendsncy in Egypt, and could not he
willing that England should obtain
complete political control of the canal.
AI6 COAVCut4Ons OH 6kkCCulCut " utCI
has just been made between the two
powers, provides for what is called the
naturalization" of the canal in time Of
war. That is, the canal. in such On
event, is not to he closed, but is to be
open equally to the war-ieets Of all ma
tons. But while men-of-war and trans
ports are to be allowed in time OF wal
to pass through it, all acts of war,
either in the canal itself. on its banks,
or at its two outlets, are forbidden by
the convention. Neither of the com
batants can "either disembark, or take
up in the canal, or in the ports of en-
trance, Suez or Port Said, troops, mu'
nitions, or material Of war" Nor car
the warships OF n belligerent attach
those of his enemy either in the canal
itself, or within a certain distance, Il
be hereafter determined, of the port.
Of entrance.
If there is any violation OF the canal
under these conditions, the Khedive Of
Egypt may ADOPT the necessary meas
ures to soc that its neutrality is pro
tected; or, if he is not able to protect
the canal, his suzerain, the Sultan o.
Turkey, may be called upon to do SO
in concert with tho other European
: powers. Besides, in case OF any rising
OF rebellion in Egypt, the Khedive il
allowed by the convention to make use
Of the canal, in wailike operations, fol
the defence of his dominions. But h,
cannot use it in q war with any of tn.
European powers. In case wal vessels
in a period OF war between European
powers, enter the canal, they canno
make it merely q haven Of refuge. The,
must not anchor and ,emain in it, bu
m ast pass through it without stopping
This convention ensures to Englant
the right TO use the canal freely il
transporting troops and munitions b,
the shorter route to her great ports il
the East; and is q signal triumph o
her diplomacy - Youths Companion