A considerable body of French shareholders in the Suez Canal
are displeased with M. de Lesseps's proposed compro- mise with the British shipowners. A Committee representing them has, therefore, drawn up a counter-proposition, which will be submitted at the great meeting of March 12th, and which is, in brief, that the Canal should be leased for the entire remainder of the term of concession to the British Government, on con- dition of paying 8 f. per ton on all vessels using the Canal ; the 8 f. to be divided among the shareholders, and all expenditure to fall upon the lessees, who, moreover, will be at liberty to make a second Canal, or widen the pre- sent one, or leave both projects alone, as they see fit. This proposal will not, of course, be carried ; but we re- cord its emergence, because we shall hear more of it. It formulates the compromise which some day or other must be made between Great Britain and the Canal Company, more especially if Egypt ever falls into British hands.
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