SUEZ CANAL’S FATE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21204, 29 August 1940, Page 9

SUEZ CANAL’S FATE

CONTROL IN WARTIME EFFECT OF FRANCE’S FALL BRITAIN “IN POSSESSION” The rupture of Franco-British relations has raised a number of questions concerning the Suez Canal, writes a diplomatic correspondent. The board of directors is composed of nineteen Frenchmen, ten British, one Dutchman and two Egyptians, and although England does not hold the majority of the shares, she holds the largest single block of shares. The Italians have, for a long time, and especially since their conquest of Abyssinia, claimed an active share in the control of the Canal, including strong representation on the Board. Can the French, under German and Italian pressure, cause us any serious trouble? The answer is “No.” What is the position on the Canal itself? The outstanding fact is that the Canal is now under complete British military control. The fact that it is under French “management” makes no difference. The head of this French administration is Baron Louis de Benoist, who is assisted by a staff of French officials. The staff of the Canal workshops is composed of Greeks, Maltese, Egyptians and a few Englishmen. Loyal Co-operation Baron de Benoist and his staff have so far proved to be entirely loyal in their co-operation with the British military authorities. Even if, under German and Italian pressure, they ceased to be so, or were to be replaced by other French officials, it would not make the slightest difference. The Canal is controlled by the British military, and if the French decided on any change of their attitude they would have no means of enforcing it. There is no reason to suspect them. They have, so far, pursued their daily tasks as though nothing had happened, and have given all facilities.

The possible or even probable seizure by the Germans of the company’s funds and stocks in Paris has had no effect—nor can it, in a military sense, have any. The Canal continues to carry frequent cargoes to our forces in the Near East: and except that the international traffic along it is much smaller than before the war, everything on the Canal is normal. Theoretically “Open” Theoretically, the Canal is open to all shipping, even German and Italian ships, but these can hardly avail themselves of their theoretical rights for the simple reason that both ends of the Canal are guarded by the British Navy. Captains entering the Canal at Suez or Port Said must supply three copies of a certificate showing that they are in order with the British Contraband Control. They must not leave any of the Canal ports during the night. The Canal has oeen well provided with anti-sabotage precautions; and its 88 miles are guarded day and night by strong British and Egyptian forces. All suspect ships are stopped, and the anti-aircraft defences are said to be powerful and well-manned. In short, the British military are in complete control.