§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, seeing the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in his place, I wish to ask him, Whether the Government have come to any decision as to the course which they intend to adopt in respect to the Suez Canal; and, if so, whether it will be convenient to the noble Earl to state it to the House?
§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, in reply to this Question, which I am not at all surprised the noble Marquess has put to me, I may say that I had an opportunity last week of making a short statement in answer to a Question in reference to the proposed arrangement. On reflection, I am not aware that there is anything that I said then, or which was said by my noble and learned Friend on the Woolsack, which, on my own behalf or on behalf of my Colleagues, I should wish to retract or withdraw from. Indeed, I think I could say a good deal to strengthen some of the arguments I used then, and more especially with regard to the obligation which, it appears to me, falls upon this country to consider, from reasons of justice, policy, and feeling, any claims possessed by the Suez Canal Company, and by the great nation which it represents, and which is a neighbour to ourselves. I believe this 116 is the feeling of all your Lordships; and I think it is better that I should merely state the course Her Majesty's Government mean to pursue, instead of going into any unnecessary discussion. Your Lordships will readily understand that Her Majesty's Government were placed in a position of considerable difficulty last week. They proposed and announced a plan, after very long negotiation, which appeared to them the best, under the circumstances, that could be arrived at. That plan was received, I need scarcely tell your Lordships, with very general disapprobation. I think we have somewhat to blame ourselves for not having presented Papers and given fuller explanation at the time the plan was proposed, for it is quite evident to me that very considerable change of opinion has taken place. There is, however, opposition on the part of nearly, but not exclusively, all the great Bodies who represent commerce and navigation; and, besides that, the position has been further complicated by the opposition, not only of the Home Rule and the Fourth Party, but also of the great Conservative Party. Under these circumstances, Her Majesty's Government thought it was only courteous to send over one of the English Directors to communicate with M. de Lesseps—not with any view of proposing any fresh negotiations, but to ascertain his views on the subject. The result of this negotiation, as received from Sir C. Rivers Wilson, is to the following effect:—