pensent qu'il est de leur devoir de formuler une reserve generale quant a l'application de ces dispositions en tant qu'elles ne seraient pas compatibles avec l'etat transitoire et exceptionnel ou se trouve actuellement l'Egypte, et qu'elles pourraient entraver la liberte d'action de leur Gouvernement pendant la periode de l'occupation de l'Egypte par les forces de sa Majeste Britannique." Being thus unaffected by the treaty, the canal retains those characteristics which it possesses, under the common law of nations, as a narrow strait, wholly within the territory of one Power and connecting two open seas.

The fact that the strait is artificial may, I think, be dismissed from consideration, for reasons stated by me in the _Fortnightly Review_ for July, 1883.

The characteristics of such a strait are unfortunately by no means well ascertained, but may perhaps be summarised as follows.

In time of peace, the territorial Power is bound by modern usage to allow "innocent passage," under reasonable conditions as to tolls and the like, not only to the merchant vessels, but also, probably, to the ships of war, of all nations.

In time of war, the territorial Power, if belligerent, may of course carry on, and is exposed to, hostilities in the strait as elsewhere, and the entrances to the strait are liable to a blockade.