Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-05-13
THE SUEZ CANAL SHARES

Chronicled By ALLEN UPWARD

"Ah, my friend, SO it has happened
to you also to have business with
these financiers!"
| turned In surprise, and beheld the
ambassador coming down the steps Of
the Bourse. He was alone, and car
ried in his hand with some ostenta-
ton small leather case, which ap-
peared to be bursting with share GER
tificates. / stopped and waited for his
excellency to reach the pavement.
You will at least consent to break
fast with me in one of those cafes
which are patronized by the gentle
men of the Bourse, and which am
told are not so bad" he said, putting
his arm in mine. The spring sun
shone brightly on the pavement and
the fronts of the houses, and the ap-
proach to the Bourse was crowded
with flower girls, who offered us their
nosegays as We moved away.
THE business which I have trans
acted this morning has reminded me
of an affair of which believe We have
never spoken together" the ambassa-
dor continued, and which l only hes
itate to tell you about because of the
disagreeable light in which 1t places
a celebrated minister of your country
Before I could make any reply, he
stopped abruptly in front of res
taurant whose appearance seemed to
inspire him with confidence. We en-
tered, and the ambassador, who was
evidently in generous mood, ordered
a sumptuous repast, to be ushered In
with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot AS
soon as the waiter had departed, bow
ing to the very ground, his excellency
took up his napkin and his parable.
In the autumn of the year 1875 /
was sent for by M. Buffard, who at
that time held the portfolio of foreign
affairs, to his private residence. On
my arrival found him closeted with
M. de Lesseps, that great man whom
France forgives the mistakes of his
old age, in consideration of the glory
which he shed upon her in the past.
Il had already made the acquaint-
ance of De Lesseps, whose former con-
hCSti1b Win thC OcuJ Adu
naturally increased the interest with
which / regarded him. On this oc-
casion he received me with great cor
diality, as did the minister, who at
once introduced the subject on which
they wished to consult ME.
81 have invited you here he said,
mot on political business, but in order
to ascertain If you are disposed to
accept private mission which the
Vicomte de Lesseps wishes to entrust
to you. Although in the execution of
this mission you will be acting with
out instructions from my department,
yet | believe you will find that the
services which you render to M. de
Lesseps will by no means displease the
French government
II will put the matter before you
In two words, he said. The khedive
of Egypt is the possessor of 10000
shares in the Suez Canal company,
which it is believed that he may be
willing to dispose Of A syndicate of
capitalists has been formed here,
which is anxious to acquire these
shares, and it has been suggested that
you should be asked to proceed to
Cairo as their agent, to sound the
khedive on the subject, and If possible
to negotiate the purchase
Is the syndicate of which you
speak connected with the canal COM
pany. by any CHANGER asked De Les.
seps
He shook his head decidedly.
II am not even myself interested
in it., he answered, except from the
point of view that, as chairman of the
company, ] desire to see these shares
placed in the hands of the company's
friends. However. have provided my
self with a list of the members Of the
syndicate
He handed me document contain
ing about dozen names. Two or three
were those of bankers of some repute;
the remainder were absolute nobodies
of whom had never heard.
Il stared at him in absolute conster-
nation.
But my dear Vicomte, exclaimed,
nave sUu any dSSui daSc aAdI &hCSC
persons command the necessary funds
to carry out so enormous a transac-
ton? This will be an affair Of hun
dred milli5ns.'
II answer for that part of it, in
terposed the minister, before De Les
seps had time to speak. There will
be no question of the money being
found
And in case the khedive should
require guarantees? / persisted, be-
ginning to feel my way toward a
solution,
III it should become absolutely
necessary, you may offer him the guar
antee of the French government. But
that is a point which you must avoid
raising, if possible; and in any case
yo. must be extremely careful not to
10, II reach the ears of Colonel War
ton the British representative IN
Cairo.
AT length 1 thought could under
stand something of the situation. Turn
ing again to De Lesseps. inquired:
AND you, III. lie Vicomte, am to
.,,aIly careful that your interest