Revision: Original Camera del Deputati - Part 1, pg. 1-38 20.jpeg

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On the other hand, it is unquestionable that the Viceroy began to negotiate the sale of the shares with a French bank, behind which one wishes the government were there, and if he did not close, it was because he thought they wanted to impose costly conditions. It is also true that the first offers for 15% of income of the canal came from Paris, and that Mr. Pastré broke off the negotiations because he thought to consolidate those guarantees to others for a more important operation that the Viceroy was forced to negotiate. This operation was foreseen by everyone not to be done except regarding the railways. A competition was born that, without the existing political worries regarding the East, would be all, financially speaking, to the benefit of Egypt, and now instead, with the finance getting intermixed with politics, could create some embarrassment for him. Mr. Pastré has already made his propositions, offering 16 million pounds sterling to be issued for 60 months, with interest, commission, etc., at 10%. Mr. Elliot still has not spoken, but continues with minute and serious studies of the conditions, administration, movement, and income of the railways. Yesterday I had the opportunity to see the Khedive. He entered the conversation declaring in the most positive way that the English government has not intervened in this operation, nor intervened in any other way, and that wrongly it is thought it could have character and political influence; that he does not have a preference for anyone and will give it to whomever makes him the best financial conditions. May it please you, etc.

Signed: De Martino