The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-28
The Sultan aaA tho vsccrsy--The Sues
Canal . Bono Of Contentton.

|
royal vassal the vioeroy OF Egypt, are not
upon the most agreeable terms. In fact, those
amenities which should characterize relations
between benevolent sovereign and an ODE
dent prince, for some reason, have been so
far disregarded by Abdul Aziz and Ismail
Pacha that rupture is reported which may
assume very hostile character and perhaps
compromise the peace of the Continent. This
is one of the early fruits of the Suez Canal,
and forebodes serious complications in the
future, destined to affect the. political condition
of Turkey aud Egypt and 1t may be the whole
Of Europe.
It is not our province here to speak Of the
great advantages to commerce and civilization
which will inevitably result from the opening
and operation Of the canal across the Isthmus
of Suez. We recognize in it a work which
will rank as one of the greatest achievements
of the nineteenth century; but it may involve
struggle for mastery such as has not con-
vulsed Europe since the wars Of Napoleon |.
| The Ottoman Porte realizes in the important
event shortly to take place the starting point
of new civilization, which may eventuate in
the partition of his dominions and the estab-
| iishment of an independent royalty over
which he can no longer exercise control.
For some time past he has jealousy
watched the movements of the Yiceroy of
Egypt, and has regarded with unqualified dis
pleasure his visits and invitations at the Chris
tan courts of Europe. He has been sorely
exercised by the reported conversations of his
stubborn vassal regarding the future political
position of the canal, and took occasion to
have despatch addressed to diplomatic agents
abroad setting forth the rights of the Porte
over Egypt and pointing out the inconsistent
cies of the Prince charged with the govern
ment of that province. Whether or not the
Viceroy has deigned to make any satisfactory
explanation to his suzerain respecting the pur-
port of his visits and his declarations we are not
prepared to say; but the report is that he hur-
riedly left for Alexandria, and ii is supposed
that a rupture with the Sultan was the cause
Of his departure.
The ''Sick Man of Turkey" sees 10 Ismail's
ambition and the great results which the Suez
Canal will operate On the future Of Egypt
more serious and immediate dangers Of en-
croachment upon hereditary rights and power
than are likely to arise from Cretau insurrec-
tons or Russian ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Hence his
great concern, and hence we may expect
vigorous measures to teach the Grand Pacha
of Egypt lesson Of humility and obedience.
The viceroy is thorough man of progress
and willing promoter of all undertakings
tending to the benefit and prosperity of his
country. He is gifted with high order of in-
telligence, and has by intercourse with Christian
nations acquired considerable knowledge of the
world. Regardless Of the traditions of Is
lamism he has become frequent visitor to the
courts of Europe, and from his desire to cul-
tivate intimate and friendly relations with
certain potentates 1t is very reasonable to
infer that he may be possessed with some ul-
terror design, such as securing sympathy and
material aid in case he should throw off the
Turkish yoke and attempt independent roy
atty. Unless he could enlist material aid in
his behalf from some one or more of the great
Powers interested in the successful and unin-
terrupted operation of the Egyptian canal he
would stand slim chance against the for
midable forces of the Porte. Abdul Azz has
at his command an army of eight hundred
thousand men and considerable navy. The
vast Ott5lnan empire, subject to his rule, Is
nearly two thousand miles long and nine hun
bred wide and stretches from the borders Of
the Adriatic to the shores of the Black Sea,
of which 1t embraces more than half the cir
cult, and from Trebisond to the Persian Gulf
and to Jidda, on the Red Sea. Its population
is over twenty millions. and its soldiers,
though not skilled in all the modern appli-
ances of war, would make stubborn and
perhaps successful fight for the chief OF
Islam against an army four times as large as any
the Grand Pacha could muster, notwithstand-
ing all the extraordinary levies Of troops and
naval ornaments that might be resorted to.
The Viceroy is well aware of the strength of
the Sultan, and If he intends rupture and
feels prepared to attempt the experiment of
Independent royalty, we may be assured that
his late travels have not been in vain, and
that he is not acting without the secretly
pledged or implied assistance of some power
full sympathizer. He ia fully aroused TO
sense OF his importance by the great enter
prise soon to be completed, which promises so
much for the commercial advancement and
glory of Egypt, That he Is aspiring to abso-
lutte independence, as we'll as absolute power,
from his suzeran ruler there is every reason
to believe, and il remains to he seen whether
he now considers himself strong enough to
throw off the yoke.
The Suez Canal, vastly important as It il to
the commerce Of the world, and with oil its
civilizing and humauizing tendencies, promises
TO prove q bone of contention which will not
be laid aside until the blood of the Turk and
: ! the Christian shall mpge ia q final struggle