File on the British opposition: press articles

The Times, 29 November 1862 "Can our neighbours do any better? They seem to think so. We have just received a telegram announcing that 'the waters of the Mediterranean' were released into Lake Timsah ten days ago, and, despite its obscurity, this piece of news is calculated to make a splash. Our correspondent nonetheless casts a shadow on the glare of this event. Lake Timsah is halfway along the line across the isthmus; the waters of the Mediterranean only come from Lake Menzaleh, which innundates the whole of the east shore with its heavy, mud-laden flood-waters. The connection is in fact made only by a small aqueduct, rather than a great canal. We suspect that M. de Lesseps still has his task in front of him, and if his shareholders have faith in him, then it is not our business to disillusion them. The issue is one which only the event itself can resolve. Opinion in England is that it is not at present possible to open a shipping canal across the isthmus for the use of traffic, nor can it be maintained in working order. It seems that this view is not so rare in Egypt itself, among some of M. de Lesseps's own subordinates, who have succumbed either to weariness or despair. But in France, public opinion would appear to be different. The project inspires confidence and approval; the shareholders keep themselves up-to-date and prospects are judged to be encouraging. When we express opposing views, we are accused of jealousy and people think that we are plotting against 'French influence in the Orient'. Now where all such sentiments, such as they exist, are concerned, our neighbours have only themselves to blame. We would never have viewed the Suez Canal as anything other than a bad risk, had the French not been so prompt to inform us that it was a shot aimed at England's breast-plate. We do not wish M. de Lesseps any ill. In our capacity as business people we could weep at the squandering of so much good money, which could have been put to better use. The worst thing about this canal project is that it is not accomplishing any good, either in part or by chance. If, as everyone in this country believes that it will, it fails to link the Mediterranean with the Red Sea, it will fall through completely. It will not even have provided profitable employment for the workforce. Local workers could have been better employed in other ventures, and, if reports are true, it has been necessary to force them to sign up for this loathsome task. [...]"

____Summary____ History Report to Napoleon Biographical entry on de Lesseps Correspondence memoirs by de Lesseps Biography of Mohammed Said Memoirs by de Lesseps Firman of Mohammed Said Funding and shares portfolio File on the British opposition The First Blow of the Pickaxe October 1859: Reception at St Cloud The entrance of the Mediterranean into lake Timsah. Biography of Ismail Pasha The Opinions of the French The Imperial Decision Dredgers Firman of the Consul Abdul Aziz Call for subscription The Universal Exhibition The Joining of the Two Seas Tributes Content