2 MAY 1874, Page 2

AL de Lesseps has, it is stated, submitted, but under

protest, and not till Egyptian troops had taken possession of the Canal. His Company, of course, backs him entirely, and it is evident that the maritime Powers interested in the work must, in the long run, buy out the shareholders. They have forfeited much of their moral right by pretending to treat the Canal as private property, which, under their own agreements, it is not ; but it will be convenient to be rid of their claims. The Straits of Suez cannot be owned, any more than the Straits of Gibraltar. As we expected, it was Mr. Disraeli's remark on M. de Lesseps' reason- ableness which is said to have made him for a moment so impracticable.