THE ISTHMUS OF SUEZ.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 103, 15 October 1858, Page 3

THE ISTHMUS OF SUEZ.

The canalation of the Isthmus of Suez,'so ardently desired by many commercial men of all countries, and especially those of the continent, seems. ,uo.,near'er execution. The subject, siuce our .last, news from England, has been the subject of considerable discussion both in England and .in, France, and we are now in possession of the opinions and motives of all who have either supported or opposed it with more or less completeness.

The discussion in the House of Commons, although resulting in a defeat of Mr. Roebuck's motion, is not considered by the Journal de L' Union dcs Deux Mers to be unfavorable to the ultimate success of the'project. The concurrence -of Gladstone, Graham, and Lord J. Russell, is at least a strong protest against the opposition to the scheme, as based on the special political interests of England/

The motion of Mr. Roebuck was to this effect, "that the power and influence of this country ought not to be employed to oblige the Sultan to withhold his assent to the project for cutting a canal across the Isthmus of Suez." This motion did not affirm either the practicability or desirableness of the scheme —it was intended to clear Great Britain from the re-pi-oaches of the Continent, that, to ward off a contingent danger to her' Indian. Empire, she sacrificed the welfare of the world.

'That the scheme, if practicable, is desirable cannot be doubted a moment by Australians. To India, China, and Australia, iv a mercantile view, it must be fraught with most important consequences. This will be clear on a glance at the map. The project was one of Napoleon's dreams when he conquered Egypt. He considered it a key to the Indian Empire. The opposition to the motion in the Commons was offered by both the late and present Ministers, and by Mr. Stephenson, the eminent engineer. "His statements, if true, Ought to relieve us of all political anxiety. According to him, the scheme is impossible, the two seas :are level; a current could not therefore exist— would ;not be a canal but a ditch. He dwelt on the difficulty of making a canal of 80 miles in length and 300 feet wide, passing through a without a drop of water, without produce of any kind. He asserted that the railroad would afford a more certain and rapid, as well as a cheaper method of transit; aud, in fine, that if the scheme were to be attempted he hoped it would be by other than English capital*-rof-which the sacrifice would be certain.

Lord Palmerston pronounced the project of Mr. Lessop's the greatest cheat ever proposed to :the simplicity- and credulity of England. He acknowledged that England had opposed the scheme, as likely to. facilitate the separation of Egypt from Turkey. The Pacha of Egypt, assisted by foreign aid,could, with this barrier, effectually resist the sovereignty of the Porte. Besides this, Lord Palmerston. avowed his distrust of the project in view of our ludian Empire. It was not our interest that we should have the passage between the two seas in any other hands than our own. We could not'close our eyes to risk, should war suddenly break out, if we were obliged to sail by' the Cape of Good Hope., We might be too late. -

Mr. Gladstone supported the motion with riiuch warmth and ingenuity. He shewed that the possibility of the scheme was, rather for the engineers" to consider,.and all that was asked was the neutrality of England.. He maintained that England stood alone — that she was morally wrong, and certain of ultimate defeat. He assertedyjthaty"'tbe' Sultan did not owe his dominion over Egypt to his army, but to the support Of European Powers. He expressed the greatest regret that our statesmen" should avow to the world that the policy of England was based on the apprehension of a surprise and a distrust of other nations. Mr. Disraeli denied that England had resisted, or France supported, the project beyond the expression of opinion. The Turkish. Government was heartily hostile from an , apprehension of, its- political consequences, and did .not need any pressure to prompt a refusal of its authority.

. In the course of the. debate anotherreason was suggested hostile to the measure. The Pasha's of Egypt are prone, like their ancient predecessors the Pharoahs, to accomplish their great- works by the labor of slaves. The fellahs of Egypt have had cause often to deplore achievements which havo been celebrated in Europe as proofs of the enlightened and progressive policy of their rulers. What might not be expected when a task was undertaken which for magnitude would surpass the most gigantic enterprises of the ancient dynasties.

It is stated that beside the political objections by the Sultan, the fanatical Turks denounce the project as fatal to their religion. Their holy cities/Mecca and Modena, are not far from the •proposed line. . They fear that the influx of the unbelieving nations will expose these sacred spots to intrusion and spoliation, and would give the coup de grace to the faith of Mahomet;

7lt must be admitted that many of the objections are small, and that England cuts but a poor figure, when standing in the path of improvements which affect the interests of all nations. The political objection seems to cast doubt on the engineering one. Why interdict an effort "sure to fail, aud thus cover its partisans Vvith confusiou.—-%dney Herald*.

THJSryW^Ep.—ZaPc^ne contains a long article on the decrease of population in France, and on the decline in the physical powers of the French. 7lt attributes the result to the insufficient food of the working classes, and to the discredit into which gymnasticai exercises have fallen. Probably this is caused, says a correspondent, by the excessive use of tobacco during "thelasttenyears~loo,ooo,ooo francs is set down in the revenue, of that country, on account of the "forbidden plant" this year. The excessive use leads to sedentary pursuits; and a disrelish for outdoor exercise; and softening of the brain to a frightful extent. To those who are about to proceed to India, we would say, if you wish to avoid the lassitude and depression, spoken of by the special correspondent of* the Times, follow the .example of our Sifch soldiers_and eschew the habit of smoking. Perhaps this last is.the strongest.argument that can ) be; adduced in the great, tobacco controversy, the Sikhs being our most energetic and active troops. ''■'

The strike of the navvies on the Geelong and Ballaarat line has been brought to a close by the men accepting 7s. 6d. a day with lodging, wood, and water, instead of 10s. a day without these necessaries. Several ,hundred men are now at work on these terras;

On the evening of the 31st ultimo, a man named John Curry was attacked near tlie tailwater Riv(r by three armed men, one of whom fired and shot him in the head., The gun was loaded with heavy shot, leaving three severe wounds on the crown of his head. The wounded man has since been pronounced out of danger, but nothing has heen heard of the ruffians who attacked him.