THE MARITIME CANAL OF SUEZ. 283 



CONCLUSION. V 



Both England and France, are to be congratulated on this satis- 

 factory result, which brought to an amicable settlement, a question 

 which has long been the subject of anxious controversy. 



What England and France have now done, fulfils the closing 

 words of Sir Julian Pauncefote, uttered at the close of the Paris Con- 

 ference in 1885, and have made the deliberations of that Conference 

 the basis of a fresh Convention, which secures the Neutralisation of 

 the Suez Canal. 



The Canal is neutralised, and the Sultan of Turkey, and the 

 Khddive of Egypt are to be charged with the protection of its 

 neutrality, and a Commission, composed of the Consuls-General, is 

 to be appointed, whose chief function will be, in case of necessity, 

 to set the action of the Khedive in motion. 



In time of Peace the Commission will meet once a year, and in 

 time of War its functions will be discharged by the Khedive. 



This secures the effective Neutrality of the Canal, so long desired, 

 and so much required, in the interests of peace, civilisation, and 

 commerce. 



Hitherto, the term Neutralisation has been more generally under- 

 stood as applicable to the protection of Sovereign States, whereby 

 they have been prevented from taking part in a War, and guaranteed 

 from the attacks of powerful neighbours. 



As early as 1803, France promised to employ her good Offices to 

 procure the Neutrality of Switzerland, and by a declaration, con- 

 firmed by the Treaty of Vienna, the Great European Powers 

 acknowledged the perpetual Neutrality of the Helvetic State. 



By the Treaties of 1831, and 1839, Belgium was recognised as an 

 independent, perpetually Neutral State, and it will be remembered 

 that, at the outbreak of the War of 1870, England made Treaties 

 with France and Prussia respectively, to secure the faithful 

 Neutrality of Belgium. 



Luxembourg was similarly neutralised in 1867, and, recently, a 

 movement has been set on foot for neutralising the Scandinavian 

 Kingdoms. 



The term Neutralisation has, however, not only a territorial 

 application, but it has also, in several instances, been applied to 

 maritime questions. 



