The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1881-11-26 00:00:00

(stourbribge Obstriyer.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26th, 1881.
------__ . __
ENGLAND AND EGYP.r.

THE position which, from the earliest ages,
Egypt has occupied in the history of the world,
is remarkable and unique. There is no other
country at all like it. The land of Egypt and
the house of bondage form the subjects of some
of the most graphic and interesting narratives
of Sacred Story. Long before the stirring events
described with such wealth of detail in the book
of Exodus, Egypt was a power, and although it
Ino longer possesses the influence which it then
wielded, is still of sufficient importance to
considered in taking into account those factors
which determine the destinies of nations. The
peoples which flourished at the same time as the
ancient Egyptians have long since passed away.
Where now are Tyre and Sidon, Thebes and
Memphis, Judrea and Plicenicia, Nineveh and
Babylon ? Even the sites of some of the vast
cities of old are now doubtful. Babylon is de-
scribed as having stood on the banks of the great
river Euphrates, and Nineveh on those of the
Tigris ; but, so far as the present time is con-
cerned, the foreshores of those mighty streams
are now nothing but the "abomination of deso-
lation," where the solitudes remain unbroken
save for the loud screaming of the cormorant
and the melancholy wail of the bittern. That
which was predicted of them has come to pass,
and scarcely a vestige of civilization remains to
mark the places where once they stood.
Yet although the Euphrates and the Tigris no
longer pass between banks covered with houses
and teeming with population, the Nile still irri-
ates the land of Egypt, and proves a blessing
to its Viliog people. The cradle of civilization,
as it has so often been called, cannot but be a
country of much interest to more than one of the
leading nations of the earth. After many vicis-
situdes in the long roll of ages' it fell, like other
peoples, into the hands of the Turks, and there,
for reasons of state, it is allowed to remain. No
empire can take it from Turkey without disturb-
ing the balance of power. The first Napoleon
paid a very great deal of attention to Egypt 80
years ago; but England had her eye upon him,
and sent Nelson after him with a fleet which,

1 -measuring itself with the French navy in
Egyptian waters, utterly defeated it, and gained
for the admiral in command a peerage, with the
title of Baron Nelson of the Nile. When the
Emperor Nicholas, nearly 30 years ago, was con-
certing his designs upon the intregity of the
Ottoman Empire, he offered England a bribe, in
the shape of Egypt and Candle, if she would
consent to the Russians taking possession of
Constantinople. The offer, it is needless to say,
was declined by England.
Egypt has lately been the subject of much
diplomatic correspondence. There can be no
question that as in France, so in England, there
is no inconsiderable section of politicians who
advocate the annexation of Egypt uncondition-
ally. It is of very little use to Turkey ; but its
possession would be of great importance to us,
and would be highly prized by France. Bat
France would not stand quietly by, and see Eng-
land take possession of that coveted country;
and England has too much at stake in the East
to permit the acquisition of Egypt by such a
powerful neighbour. Therefore, so far as this
country is concerned, Egypt is to remain as it is.
The publication of Earl Granville's despatch
leaves no doubt whatever as to the policy of the
Government in respect to this question. The
connection of Egypt with the o.tornan Empire
is to be maintained; the Protectorate jointly
undertaken by England and France is also to be
maintained ; and Egypt is to retain its integrity
on one important condition. This is that the
immunity from intervention is to cease if the
internal state of the country should be such as
to endanger the continuance of law and order.
While there are those amongst us who would
have advocated a more distinct assertion of our
authority in Egypt, it must at the same time be
borne in mind that the system of Anglo-French
protection instituted a few years ago, has thus
ft!r prov.ti beneficial, and has succeeded in the
.bject which was then in view. At the time of
the estabiishraent of this plan of joint supervi-
sion the financial embarrassments of Egypt were
notorious, and those have now to a great extent
been dealt with. In a considerable degree the
credit of the country has been restored, its lia-
bilities have been met ; and the resources of that
ancient land have proved more than equal to the
call made upon them. For its immediate pur-
poses the system of international control has
worked well, and it is for the interests ef all that
it should be maintained. The protecting powers
are acting harmoniously and cordially together;
and while the retention of the nominal 'sover-
eignty of the Porte secures Egypt against inter-
ference by any except the two controlling States,
the enlightenment and, the civilization of Eng-
land and France are a guarantee that the wealth
of Egypt will be devoted to proper uses, to pro-
moting the prosperity of the people, and im-
proving the condition of a rich though long
neglected land.

THE IIION TRADE.

WOLVERFTAMPTON, Wednesday.

A moderate attendance on 'Change this after-
noon; and business, though not large, was steady
and firm. The leading manufacturers were re-
ported well:off for orders, and some good Colo-
nial lines, just received, are waiting to be given
out. Prices continue to rule at 103 for
marked bars, bat opinions grow that they will
not remain at this after December, and therefore
sellers are averse to contracting for heavy deli-
veries in the next quarter; some of them refuse
to quote. Medium elass iron goes off fairly well
at X 7 10s, but inquiries this afternoon related
ohiefly to common bars to be got for .E 6 10s,
several limited parcels changing hands at that
figure. The sheet makers are busy, and have
plenty of inquiries from the galvanisers, who are
aski g from 5s to 108 per ton extra. Most of
them have orders to occupy them until the end
of JAiluary. Common bh:ck sheets for galvanis-
ing w,re to-city done at .C 8 53 for singles, after
.C.:B was refused. Working-up and nail sheet,:
are also in very fair demand. Tin-plates ale
receiving more attention, and quotations Are up
is 6d a box, the result of the advance on tin:
Girder plates are in rather better inquiry, and
prices do not strengthen. There were come
good inquiries for uailrod and tip iron. In raw
materials transactions are few. High-class native
pigs aro upheld in value, and smelters of part.
mine, having long contracts to execute, adhere
to their old terms. Spring Vale, Wellingbero',
Kettering, Clay Cross, and 'Westbury iron are
all in fair inquiry. Barrow, Lonsdale, eud
Tredegar hematites maintain great firmness of
price. Local ironstone is too dear to tempt
many buyers until they can get more money for
their pigs. • The coal trade is brisk. Manufec-
turing fuel is wanted in largo quantities, while
the Cannock Chase coal tra lo is developing.
Surprise is expri:ssed ;among the trade at the
action of the miners in wishing to disturb the
course of business with the wages question, now
that there is a prospect of returning prosperity.