CONTROL OF SUEZ

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 236, 4 October 1940, Page 5

CONTROL OF SUEZ

ITALY'S VAIN AIM.

BRITAIN RETAINS BOX SEAT.

One of the main objects of the Italians in their attack against Egypt is to gain control of the Suez Canal. Their chances would not appear good, for even if they did succeed in driving off the British forces which guard this vital waterway, it is safe to assume that they would not find it left in working order.

Interesting questions concerning the civil control of the canal were raised by the French capitulation to Germany, for the Fiench have a majority on the board of directors which in normal times is in control. This board ie. composed of 19 Frenchmen, 10 Britons, one Dutchman and two Egyptians. Though England does not hold the majority of the shares, she holds the largest single block. What Matters Most.

For a long time, and particularly eince their conquest of Abyssinia, the Italians have claimed an active share in the control of the canal, including strong representation on the board.

The thing which matters most at the moment is that the canal is under complete British military control. The fact that it is under French "management" ajakes no difference. The head of the French administration is Baron Louia de Benoist, who ie assisted by a staff of French officials. The staff of the canal workshops is composed of Greeks, Maltese, Egyptians and a few Englishmen. Staff's Loyal Co-operation. Baron de Benoist and his staff have Bo far proved to be entirely loyal in their co-operation with the British military authorities, and even if, under German and Italian pressure, they ceased to be so or were replaced by other French officials, it would not make the slightest difference because there would be no means of enforcing such a decision.

In the meantime, said the "Manchester Guardian" recently, there is no reason for suspecting the present French staff. So far they had pursued their daily duties as if nothing had happened and had given all facilities to the British.

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 have any in a military sense. The cancl continues to carry cargoes J and men to our forces in Egypt and Palestine, and, except that traffic ie far smaller than before the war, everything on the canal remains normal. : Sabotage Precautions. 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 Contraiband Control. They must not leave any of the canal ports during the night. The canal itself is reported to have been well provided with anti-e'abotage precautions and ite 88 miles are guarded day and night by strong British and Egyptian forces. All suspect shipe are stopped and the anti-aircraft defences are said to be powerful and well manned.

Some of the canal board directors are in France, others in Even if, under enemy pressure, any anti-Britieh action were to be taken by the French directors it could have but an academic interest, and competent quarters in London hold that all questions pertaining to stocks and shares as a means of "controlling" the canal are in abeyance till the end of the war: The customary dues are collected on the spot and paid into Cairo. It is understood that normally they are transferred from there to London and no other course ie expected to 'be pursued during the war.

The 1915 Attack.

During the Great War the canal became an important object of attack when the Turks joined the Germans. On February 3, 1915, a force of some 5000 Turks delivered a bold stroke against the canal. Their artillery nearly succeeded in einking H.M.S. Hardinge and the French battleship Requin in the fairway, but their attempts to cross were thwarted, though three Turkish [KMitoons reached the African shore, only to be captured there by British troops. To forestall further attacks the campaign in Palestine was decided upon and this relieved the canal of all further menaces.