264 THE MARITIME C'ANAL OF SUEZ. 



neutralisation of the Canal, by the appointment of an International 

 Commission. 



It was in consequence of this communication that Lord Derby 

 addressed his important Despatch to the Ambassador at Paris, Lord 

 Lyons, wherein, after referring to the delicate and difficult question of 

 the Neutralisation of the Canal, and of the difficulties of a political 

 character, which prevented Her Majesty's Government recommending 

 this project for the acceptance of Turkey, he made this emphatic 

 declaration : — 



" That Her Majesty's Government, sensible of the importance to Great 

 Britain and the other Neutral Powers of preventing the Canal being injured or 

 blocked up by either of the belligerents, were resolved that any attempt to 

 blockade, or otherwise interfere with the Canal or its approaches, would be regarded 

 as a menace to India, and as a grave injury to the commerce of the world." 



Lord Derby's declaration was sharp, short and decisive, and does 

 hirn great credit, for his Lordship realised, what is sometimes forgotten, 

 that England has a greater stake in the Suez Canal than all the other 

 Nations put together, and that the Power which holds India, and the 

 Empire of Australasia, was bound to safeguard her communications, 

 and her possessions. 



The strongest proof of the wisdom of this bold declaration 

 of Her Majesty's Government, was the prompt assurance of the 

 Russian Ambassador, Count SchouvaloiF, that Russia, not wishing 

 to multiply her risks tenfold, would not, and did not, intend to inter- 

 fere with the freedom of the navigation of the Suez Canal. 



A few such prompt declarations of this character on the part of 

 Her Majesty's Government, at critical periods of Foreign Affairs, 

 would have spared in the past, and, in the future, will spare Great 

 Britain many unforeseen compUcations, especially with Russia. 



NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE SUEZ CANAL COMPANY. 



We will now consider the more direct causes of this international 

 difficulty. 



In 1883, a widespread dissatisfaction showed itself, from those 

 interested in the Eastern trade, against the management of the Suez 

 Canal, based mainly upon the overcharges, delays, and neglect of 

 sanitary arrangements, and, on loth May, 1883, an indignation 

 Meeting was held in the Cannon-street Hotel, to consider the 

 construction of an alternative Maritime Canal, across the Isthmus 



