Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1879-05-24
Egypt and Her Ruler.

The present position of the Khedive,
or King, of Egypt, is a very peculiar
one. The once proud empire of the
Rameses and Pharaohs is now ruled
over by a prince who is not only vas
sal of the Sultan of Turkey, to whom
he is forced to pay an annual tribute,
but who is also subject to the control OF
two other foreign nations, England and
France.
Egypt, up to within about 70 years,
was long under the absolute power OF
the Turkish Sultans. The vlceroys
were Governors appointed by the Sui
tans to rule Egypt, just as they were
appointed for Armenia, or any other
Turkish province. But in 1911, the
viceroy then in Egypt, Mehemet Ali,
rebelled against Turkey, took posses,
sion of the country by force of arms, and
assumed Independent authority.
Mehemet's authority was, some years
afterwards, recognized by the Sultan,
on condition that he should continue to
be nominally vassal of Turkey, and
should pay an annual tribute into her
treasury. It was agreed that the sover-
eighty of Egypt should remain, by
hereditary succession, in Mehemet's
family. The tribute now paid by Egypt
into the Turkish Treasury is about 3d.
900, 900 a year.
About is years ago the Sultan was
obliged to grant still further concessions
to the yiceroy. He permitted him to
take the title of ss Khedive," or King, to
maintain armies, and make treaties with
foreign powers. and allowed the sue
cession of the Egyptian throne to pass
direct from father to son, instead OF de-
scending, as in Turkey, to the eldest
member of the reigniDg family.
The present Khedive of Egypt is q
grandson of Mehemet Ali, the stout old
soldier who won the Land of the Pyra-
mids for his children. Heis about 30
years of age, and man OF more than
Ordinary intelligence and culture.
Though born and reared in the Egyp-
tan court, he passed some years in
Paris, engaged in study, and there ac-
quired much of the French polish and
elegance in manners.
In personal appearance, were IL NOT
for his red fez, or cap, you would scarce
" take him for an Oriental. His COM
plexion and hair are lighter than those
of most Egyptians, and his bearing Is
that of a Western European.
On ascending the Egyptian throne,
Ismail Pasha gave promise of introduc-
ing many reforms into the country.
Such reforms were, indeed, sorely need
ed. Egypt had been wretchedly gov
erned. Her people were ground down
with taxes. The fellahs, or peasants,
were cruelty, oppressed, and the
slave trade was not only per-
mitted, but encouraged. 1t soon
appeared, however, that Ismail Pasha's
zeal for reform was pretense. He was
seen to be very ambitious man, intent
on winning for himself an independent
crown. He proved extrayagant and in
different TO the wretched condition OF
his people, who are still as much op.
pressed as ever. He raised armies and
built formidable fleet; and invaded
the countries south of Egypt, which,
one by one, he annexed. In order to
meet the expenses of his operations, ne
borrowed large sums from England and
France; and at last, being unable to
pay even the interest on these debts, he
was obliged to admit English and
French statesmen into his Cabinet to
regulate his affairs.
The recent trouble arose from the
Khedive's attempt to cast aside these
foreign advisers, and to rule with Cab
met of natives.
The object of England and France in
insisting that the Khedive should retain
these officials is to see to it that the
country is SO governed as to insure the
payment of the interest on tho loans
that have been made to him by them
and also, we may guess, that their politi
cal and military interests in the Eastern
Mediterranean may be watched
Youths COMPANION.