Page:Shall we have a Channel tunnel?.djvu/15

9 another Napoleon should arise, what use could he or would he make of the Tunnel to our disadvantage? Would not its existence tend to induce or promote the invasion or attempts to invade this country, when our Island has ceased to be, and we have joined ourselves on to the Continent? Such was the opinion of Lord Wolseley, who says (p. 226), "I think that the existence of the Tunnel would be a great inducement to France to invade England". But in your own minds you are no doubt refuting these, perhaps you will say shallow reasonings, by thinking there are plenty of ways that we have of blocking the Tunnel and interrupting the communication. Don't be afraid. I am not going to keep this information from you. You will hear enough about it before I have done. But put it the other way and let us suppose that even in apparently peaceful times, a train starts from our end, and the unlucky passengers find a mine has been sprung near the opposite end of the Tunnel or water has been let into it, what would be their situation and their feelings? Or let us suppose something less dreadful than this, that the train breaks down half way, and we will call the length of the Tunnel about 20 miles (see p. 218), under what circumstances, the reverse of pleasant, would the walk of the ten miles be conducted? And indeed however excellent the arrangements between England and France might be at first starting, and however good, at the time of opening the Tunnel, the mutual understanding between the two countries might be, would there be any sufficient guarantee for their permanency and would not an element of uncertainty, risk, and possible danger to ourselves be introduced? However perfect the machinery for blocking the Tunnel or interrupting the communication at our end might be (and it might of course get out of order from want of use (see regarding "Mines" p. 228) and not be found in order when it is wanted, see conclusion of Report of Sir A. Alison's Committee, p. 258), it is impossible, I think, not to allow that the existence of a Tunnel would keep us in a state of frequent, if not perpetual alarms, and involve us in increased military expenditure. There is moreover an air almost of absurdity, if I may say so without offence to the promoters or supporters of the scheme, in the idea of constructing a costly Tunnel, which would