New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-15
S50,0OO,000 CLAIMED.
Su,t of KhediUe's Brother-in-Lazc
against Suez Canal Com pany.

When, old Ferdinand de Lesseps was engaged in
nrst promoting the suez Canal Company he In
ouced number OF people to subscribe sums OF
siuo and upward toward the preliminary expenses
OF the affair. assuring them Of stock the COM
pany that was to be launched the stock consisting
OF what were known as founder shares" The
nrst list OF founder shares made by him in
1900 In many instances the founder did
represent money advanced for the promotion. but
assistance of another kind that Is say influence
and quite a number OF Egyptian. French and other
oigntartes received these shares in lieu OF bak-
sheesh or brises. Six years later De Lesseps
CURED more money and influence, and. ac-
cordingly. issued some more founders shares and
issued fresh list of founders Unfortunately. In
this second list Of 1861 he omitted to include the
names OF quite number OF people who had figured
on the original list. and who had placed both him
and his enterprise under obligations either by ad-
Vancing money or else by giving him other kind OF
support
The heirs OF the people whose names figured On
the list of founders 1855 not on that of 1861
have now instituted proceedings against the COM
pany for the stock for which the persons whom
they represent were set down IN the list OF 1855.
suits have been started against the company in the
courts of Austria, Of France. of italy. Berlin
and likewise In London. For old De Lesseps, who
met with immense amount OF antagonism in
connection with the suez Canal In the early stages
or the enterprise was very generous in distribut-
ing founders shares by way of removing this
enmity.
OF course. where II can be shown that the found
ers shares were merely promised by way Of a
bride. II is doubtful whether the law will enforce
the claim But In instances where people actually
advanced money in return for a written promise of
FOUNDERS shares the matter is entirely different.
among the claimants of this class are Prince
D1emh Tussun Pacha, married to the younger OF
the khedives two sisters and his brother Prince
Omar Tussun. They are the grandsons OF Khered-
dine Pacha. who married of the princesses of
the reigning house. and whose son. the late Prince
Iussun Pacha- married one OF Khedive Ismairs
daughters 1t that Khereddne Pacha not
only all his influence, but likewise advanced
n considerable amount OF money, receiving in re-
turn from De Lesseps written promise of $50
founders shares, for which stock he figures In the
1883 list His name was forgotten. either intention
ally or fnvountary. the 1851 list and his death
ABOUT that time prevented him from taking any
steps to have the matter set right These 80
founders shares to-day represent according to the
market value Of the stock. OF no less than
S0Oooooo
Now. the French courts have from the lowest to
the supreme tribunal of appeal decided that Kher-
eddine Pacha's name figured on the list of 1858
which has been preserved. and which was sub
mitted to them part OF the evidence along with
numerous letters of Ferdinand de I.esseps and in
official documents In which this list is mentioned
me proceeding. have now been transterreS to
Egypt. where they engaging the attention of
the International Tribunal. on which the United
States is represented by Judges and H. as
anticipated the Egyptian courts give a Judgment
In favor OF the two princes. the Suez Canal Com
pany will have either to pay the claimants the
market value OF the stock In question or else to
furnish them with stock to that amount.
What Is still more serious about the matter is
that. stated above. there are a number OF other
claimants who have Just strong a case agains.
the Sues Canal Company the two Khedivia
princes Djemil and Omar Tussun and In the event
OF the suit being every expects, decided in
favor OF the princes. there is doubt that the
canal company will have 10 make good their
demands This 1t will be unable TO do under pres
ent circumstances. and bankruptcy the necessity
Of entire reorganization OF the enterprise stares
IL In the face should the Egyptian determine
In favor OF the princes
Nor II this all AS matters stand at present the
English government. by purchasing all the found
ers shares OF khedive Tsnail secured a controlling
voice IN the management OF the canal This would
likely be impaired other governments say.
FOR instance. Germany. France. Russia or the
United States. to acquire possession by purchase
OF the stock coming 10 the two Princes Tussun and
their fellow claimants
Tho whole thing Is a very serious affair and has
been brought about by the almost inconceiva BILE
recklessness and lack Of exactitude In business
matters OF old Ferdinand de Lesseps the Grand
Francas." q characteristic which In no small
measure accountable for the Panama Imhrogho.
Ever since his death the Suez Canal Company, TAX
ing pity the virtually penniless condition in
which he left his widow and younger children. has
beea paying TO her and to them very handsome
annuity amounting about $50 600 all told In recog
milton OF his servlees. Whether the company will
be In n position continue to do this II the courts
decide against II IN the Princes Tussun case Is
doubtful Ia the extreme.
II is notable that the monarchical newspapers OF
Spain even those receiving ministerial inspiration.
In enumeratng the Processes OF the blood, TO
whom they declare the choice OF King Alfonso will
be restricted when he selects a consort carefully
avoid mentioning the name OF any Roman Catholic
princess OF the houses OF Austria OF Bavaria and
OF Bourbon.
There is quite long list OF young Austrian
archduchesses who would be available. likewise
several Bavarian princesses. while the Duke OF
Parma who is infant of Spain and Bourbon
has any number OF daughters whom he would like
to see sharing the throne OF Don Alfonso XIII OF
Spain.
But none O, these matches commend themselves
to the Spaniards. Not even the blameless conduct
OF the present Kings mother who was an Austrian
archduchess. has served to diminish their Intense
and bitter prejudice against the house OF Haps-
burg which dates from the wars of succession
The Rourbons of Parma. like those OF Naples. have
The reputation OF being reactonary In the extreme
and OF having learnt nothing from the popular
revolutions which deprived them OF their thrones
Indeed 1t was owing to this that the marriage Of
King AIfonso's eldest sister and heir apparent 10
the Neapoitan Prince Charles OF Bourbon aroused
90 much opposition In Spain that IL led TO san
culinary riots in various parts OF the kingdom Nor
would Bayarian alliance be welcomed in the penin-
sua While the daughters OF the ducal branch OF
the house OF Wittelsbach are beautiful women
those OF the reignins branch are or the most pro-
nounced homeliness, and this applies also to the
children of the Infanta Paz sister OF the late King
Alfonso of SPAIN and who Is married to Prince
Louis OF Bavaria, who has obtained so much dis
tInction as an obstetriciah
That is why the Spanish monarchical press. repre-