Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-10-04
7r11FETT INC REGISTER. SUNDAY. OCTOBER 4, 1896


ton of the offer had come to AXE ana
which I was therefore compelled 20 IN
rroduce with the greatest circumspec-
ton o,,r
Highness.' I said, as soon as the cerenlo-
nial SITUATIONS had bean exchanged On
behalf OF an influential syndicate OF
bankers in Paris, who have charged me
20 Law before you a proposal OF some
magnitude. and which relates TO the Suez
Canal
nounced this name. He responded mo-
rosely:
Il am tired of the Suez Canal, NJ. lie
Rsron. 1t has not fulfilled the expecta-
tons was led to form from il, and II IS,
besides. a cause of many political embar-
easements. But go on; explain your pro-
posal'
at is one which, If you accept it, may
relieve your Highness Of some OF those
swered respectfully. AT the same time
embarrassments OF which YOU speak, l
answered respectfully. AT the same time
the political susceptibiliJies which are
aroused by every transaction relating TO
the canal compel me 10 ask that this ne
gotiation may remain a secret enurelP
between your Highness and the persons
for whcm4 act
"a frown crossed his face as / made
this request, which It was easy to sec
provoked his suspicious.
of 1t IS a mere question OF private fin
ance on which you approach me there
can be no objection TO what you propose,
he replied cautiously. But if il should
turn out to involve political cOnsidera-
lions it will evidently be necessary for
me 10 consult my advisers before giving
YOU an answer. However, l will hear
what you have to say.
THUS encouraged I came boldly to the
point.
Z" 1t is above all a question Of private
finance. I declared. AS the Khedive Of
Egypt your Highness enjoys certain
rights over the canal which passes
through your territories. It is those rights
which constitute your political relation to
1t. and they are not affected by the
scheme we are discussing. In addition
you are personal proprietor of certain
shares in the company which owns the
canal. and there is nothing TO prevent your
transferring these shares 10 suitable
purchaser, with the same freedom as any
other member of the company.
"'Ahr he interrupted. I see what it IS
you want. You propose to make me an
offer for some of these shares?'
For the whole of them. your Highness,
l returned. bowling
what! Do you mean what you say?
These shares are worth at the very least
one hundred millions"
That is the sum which is mentioned in
my Instructions
'Ismail Pasha gazed at me in conster-
nation.
But have never even entertained the
idea of parting with these shares. It is
true I find them unremunerative. Are
you aware that the interest on them is de-
Ierred?'
81 have understood something of the
sort said carelessly.' My duty. however,
is merely TO ask If your Highness will ac-
cept for them the sum which you have
just named My principles have believed
that in consequence Of the unfortunate
state of the Egyptian finances you would
probably sooner or later consider the ques-
ton Of realizing the value of this property,
and their enterprise has led them to make
what IS perhaps a premature effort to Sc
cure it,
-" But do not say that it Is premature
He stopped and bent his eyes thoughtfully
on the ground for some moments.
4 have made no attempt as yet to as
certain the value Of my shares he said.
presently regarding me with a searching
look Perhaps I might obtain better
terms in London If I were to make 1t
known that 1 was willing to dispose of
them
q drew myself up with an aggrieved
air.
81 venture to remind your Highness
that such a step would be a violation of
our compact Of secrecy. Unless you find
anything unsatisfactory in the terms offer
ed by the syndicate which I represent
they have the right to expect that you will
not enter into negotiations elsewhere
my remonstrance appeared to impress
him. He listened thougthfully and nod
ded his head once or twice.
Very we'll, will consider your offer.