New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-06-21
THE gGyPTI1Y EYT4YGLE1ENT.

The EGYPTIAN question has become an IN
ternatonal ENHANCEMENT. Precisely what Is
going on in the consular offices at Caro- the
world does not yet know but 1t is evident
that the French Government, cxasperated ny
the unexpected intervention Of Germany. has
abruptly demanded the deposition OF the hhe-
dive and that the British Cabinet, IL IL DE
moving at all. has been dragged into the con-
troyersy by its Western ally. When LOrd
Beaconsfed purchased the khedive's shares IN
the SueZ Canal IL seemed to be fOregone
conclusion that the annexation OF Egypt
to the British Crown would be the
ultimate result. At critical stage OF the
Eastern question Bismarck pointed sgmti-
cantly to the Nile and muttered " Beati
possidentes.n but the hint was not taken in
London. Indeed, Lord Derby went ont of his
way to pledge himself to the policy OF non
intervention. France whose susceptiblhties
were then spared, is now allowed to take the
lead in enforcing European nights, and, posi-
bly, TO gain paramount influence Iii that quar-
ter of the Mediterranean.
Ii was in 1868 that Ismail Pacha began to
msg0vern Egypt and the wretched fellaheen.
Under the Second Empire small investors had
invested their earnings IN NJ. de LPsSepss
canal, and subsequently loan after loan was
taken by French and English capitalists.
Meanwhile. the Khedive's private estate had
increased from 10000 TO 100000 acres,
and was farned at the expense of the foreign
creditors. In the course of twelve years he
had borrowed so much and at such hlgh
rates abroad, and had stolen so much at
home, that his kingdom was on the verge OF
bankruptcy. When the credit of his Govern
ment was undermined by several gross acts
of repudiation he was forced TO sell his in
terest in the Suez Canal This opened the
way for foreign intervention. England sent
an expert to investigate the financial re-
sources of Egypt, and, subsequently, second
commission, representing the French and
English bOndhoders. reported scheme for
the consolidation of the debt. When a third
investigating commission was threatening to
lay bare the evils Of eXtOrtion, forced
labor and msgOvcmment, the Khedive
surrendered He gave mp his enormous es-
tates, introduced constitutional system and
pledged himself to become "a European ruler
and TO carry into effect the reform measures
proposed by the English and French members
of his Ministry. But the East Is still the
East. An Oriental despOt cannot learn the art
of European government. Administrative re-
form was the caprice of a few weeks, and
then discipline and restraint became intoler-
able. The Khcdiyc violated his engagements
with England and France, turned the foreign
ers out of bis Cabinet, and reverted 10 the
old system of misgOycrnment and oppression.
OF the two powers which had agreed to take
the peasantry under their protection and to
enforce the rights of European creditors,
one stood ready to act, but the other was ir-
resolute France has now determined to call
the Khedive to account and to impose the
penalty of deposition.
1t cannot be that the French Ministry are
so visionary rs to suppose that Egypt can
oxer become second Algeria. In taking
this firm stand at Cairo they cannot hope to
do more than promote in general way the
diplomatic prestige of the Republic. But
whatever may be their ulterior designs. Eng
land cannot stand aloOf. If the European
Governments have not agreed upon a basis
for common diplomatic action in behalf of the
bondhoIders of the various States, the West
en Powers must take the Egyptian peasaDtry
under their joint guardianship. What neither
will allow the other to do alone they must
undertake together.