THE ISTHMUS OF SUEZ. [From the Journal des Debats.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 282, 12 April 1848, Page 4

THE ISTHMUS OF SUEZ. [From the Journal dcs Debats.]

" An enterprise which is to place the Mediterranean in direct communication with the Indian Seas, by avoiding more than one-half the distance which at present separates them by the passage round the Cape of Good Hope — such an enterprise interests not only Egypt, whose territory is borrowed for its completion, but it likewise interests the politics and the commerce of the entire world. Thirty leagues to be crossed in the desert, in the midst of a plain which will facilitate the works — two ports to be created, under difficult circumstances it is true, but which present no obstacle sufficient to dismay an engineer, and in fine an expense of 30,000,000 or 40,000,000f. ; such are the conditions, not very onerous it may be seen, on which this magnificent result is to be obtained. How, then, does it happen that this enterprise is yet in contemplation, and not already a reality accomplished for the advantage of civilization and the commerce of the world ? It is because the material obstacles are the least in the affair, and it is because they affect immense interests, and because their completion will affect more or less profoundly the political and commercial situations of all powers, that it has remained so long in suspense, and that perhaps it will remain so still longer, although it appears at this moment to be on the point of receiving solution. No doubt, when the plan shall be brought forward for cutting through this neck of land which arrests the commerce of so many nations, and which, when completed, will open a new career to the power of several states, every party will be agreed, and even those who are heartily opposed to the enterprise will not dare to avow their opinions. It appears that the policy of all cabinets is unanimous as to the principle. But every time when we wished to depart from theory to enter on the actual construction of the canal, violent dissensions have arisen, and each party, more or less occupied with his own interests, proposed to support a different system ; and the real, although not avowed, enemies of the undertaking, availing themselves of the difference of opinion, prevented every plan from being carried into effect. Such is the history, not very honourable for European policy, but true, of all the plans which have been as yet brought forward to open the Isthmus of Suez. All the European cabinets have joined in the discussion without having succeeded in agreeing with respect to interests which appeared to be so clearly defined. Some of the parties showed violent passion and manifested 3 bitterness which caused Mehemet Ali, the Viceroy of J Egypt, and a man of great courage, to hesi- j tate, although devoted to the project and desirous of its completion. Although he is sovereign of the country, and perfectly free to execute within his territories such works as may appear useful to him ; although his finances are sufficient for the purpose, and although he appears to have chosen the best solution, he has not dared to meet the resistauce offered to him on this head, although he j has been ever sufficiently astute to discover" the value of every advice offered him, even under the pretence of friendship and of a sympathy for him and for the success ofhis project. Nevertheless Mehemet Ali is not easily frustrated in his plans. He knows how to carry into effect that celebrated axiom, that genius by patience opens a second road when it meets an insurmountable obstacle on the

first. This is what he has done. Despairing of success if he should he reduced to his own means alone to contend against the adversaries of his favourite idea, and being well convinced by experience that he should be unable to act as long as he left the affair on diplomatic ground, and as long as he should endeavour to obtain the impossible accord of cabinets and foreign ministers, he is at present endeavouring to lay the question before the real sovereign power in Europe — public opinion. Seeing the impossibility of gaining over governments to his views, he appeals to commerce, manufactures, and to the private interests of the nations which he knows to be in accord with his own. It is with that object he has suggested the formation of a company of engineers and bankers which he wishes to interest in hi* project. And in order to tranquillize distrust — to show his impartiality — to prove that he merely wishes to hold the balance even between all interests and give them all the fullest satisfaction, he expressed a wish that this company should be composed of three groups, representing each one of the three great powers of Europe most interested in the | enterprise under political and commercial reports, viz., Austria, England, and France. This company is at present formed, and in I each of those countries it reckons at its head distinguished engineers and influential capitalists. The Austrian group, warmly supported by its Government, has at its head M. Negrelli, the constructor of the railroad from Vienna to Trieste. The British group has for its chief Mr. Stephenson, now member of parliament, constructor of a number of En- ! glish railroads, and the inventor of the first locomotive which ran between Liverpool and Manchester. The French group is represented by M. Talabot, whose name is too well known to require any commentary. That company, now some months constituted, has already resolved in principle the question of the most advantageous mode of communication as regards commerce, to be established across the isthmus of Suez. It has declared in favour of the execution of a maritime canal, navigable at all seasons and for the largest ships, and it has acquired the certainty of being able to give such a canal twentyseven feet of depth ; that is more than sufficient to float a three-decker. Moreover, the company has agreed as to the distribution and division of the works. The English are to have, under the sanction and authority of the viceroy, the construction of the harbour at Suez; the French, that of the canal from Suez to Pelusium; and the Austrwns, the harbour to be created at Felusium, on the Mediterranean Sea. The latter point created some uneasiness, as it was feared at first that it would cost an enormous sum ; but a survey, made on the spot by M. Negrelli, relieved all doubts. The port may be formed at Felusium, and on better terms than could have been expected, The French engineers have arrived in Egypt, and it is announced that they are to be followed by the English. So far all appears propitious for this glorious enterprise; however, too much confidence must not be placed in fortune. The mistrusts and passions whicb have so long succeeded in retarding its completion have been revived more warmly and more skilfully, and beseige Mehemet Ali more than ever. Not daring longer to contest the utility of such a work, and seeing that at length the opposition should be withdrawn, they have invented, or rather resuscitated, a counter project, of which they warmly solicit the adoption. At present, as three years since, when the maritime canal appeared to have reached realisation, a railroad was opposed to it, so that the enterprise, long reputed so difficult, is now menaced with being drowned in the abundance of means proposed for its accomplishment. Such is the real situation of the question ; such are at present the two systems proposed, and to the merits of which we shall have to return."