A rather pompons account was published in the Times on
Monday describing the progress of the negotiations about the Suez Canal. According to this, M. Flonrens had agreed with the British representatives to neutralise the Canal, to form the Consuls-General of the Powers into a Commission for controlling those using it, and to vest the presidency of the Commis- sion always in the senior Consul-General. The only remaining difficulties were the territorial extent of the neutralisation, which must include the banks of the Canal for some miles, and the character of the corps of 2,000 men to whom its military pro. tection must be entrusted. These points would, it was hoped, be speedily settled. Does M. Flonrens share that hope P So far as we can understand that statesman's action as to all pending questions, he has taken a leaf out of - Mr. Parnell's book, and is keeping open every sore, the Suez Canal matter, the question of the New Hebrides, and a question in Burmah which we shall hear more about, in order to worry the British Government into evacuating Egypt. It is an ignoble policy, but it is a common one ; and the only way to meet it is to wait, fortify the Cape, and so develop the long sea-route to Asia and the route through Canada, that in time of war the Canal will be of minor importance. England is badly treated, both about Egypt and the Canal; but if the democracy will only wait, its chance will arrive before this generation ends.
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