New-York tribune., 1881-09-13
THE EGYPTIAN COMPLICATIONS

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THE EGYPTIAN COMPLTCA TONS.
Anything more artificial or more complex
than the present system of government in
Egypt could not well be devised Mohammcd
Iewiik 1egns as the actual sovereign rather
than as n Viccroy, yet acknowledges the suze-
ralnty of the Sultan and governs the country
only under European tutcagc. He has q
native Ministry, but the Administration is
under the direct supervision of the French and
English Controllers General, who are cmDow-
cred to investigate every department of the
public service, to receive weekly reports of coll
lectons and expenditures, and to exercise n
controlling influence in the State. These two
foreign agents virtually bold the purse strings
and conduct the financial administration. The
consular courts have given place to intcrna-
tional tribunals under the Law of liquidation.
by which the relations between the Government
and lis creditors are regulated At the same
time there are EnglIshmcn and Frcnchmcn oc-
cupying subordinate positions in every depart
ment of the Administration, each Power doing
Its utmost TO increase its prestige 10y multiply
ing its representatives in Office The sovereign
Is coached by rival tutors III the art Of govern
ing like a European monarch, and his native
Ministry is constantly under foreign suryen-
lance. Yet the supreme power has not passed
out OF the hands of the mob of soldicry that
surrounds the palace. In every national crisis
the khedive is brought face to face with the
troops, and Asiatic caprice gives directing force
to the Government.
1t was in August, 1878, that Isman Welding
to financial embaIraSsments, issued his famous
decree declaring that Egypt should be governed
IKE II modern state, with responsible Min
lStry, and selected two trained Europeans for
the offices of Finance and Public Works.
Within six months the troops wcre mutinous,
clamoring for their back pay in front of the
palace and insulting the foreign Ministers.
The khcdiyc was already weary OF tutclago and
anxious TO follow his own caprices without re-
strant, and, accordingly, after few weeks of
hesitation, he dismissed Nnbar and his Euro
pean associates and called upon Cherif to form
purely Egyptian Ministry The Powers
united III rcmoDstrance, and 50 much diplo-
matte pressure was brought to bear mt Copsta,,-
tlnople that the Sultan consented 10 dcpose thn
Khcdiyc. lsnan abdcatcl in favor OF his son
IeWhh, and the army which Lad been SO pro-
luse III It's expressions o! loyalty to its soycr-
cign alter he had complied with its wishes
oucred IT'S allegiance to the new ruler. Chcrif
retired from the Premiership and Riax becomc
the leading spirit of the new Administration
snmed. A native Ministry was retained but
tAc ADVICE OF Europeans was freely sought and
generally followed. The two Controllers
General were invested with their present
powers, the International Commission of Iioui-
dation was appointed and Western ideas were
adopted in every department Of the civil SCR
yico' The Premier displayed honesty and
vlgor in uprootng abuses and introducing re-
torlns, and, under the advice of the French end
English agents, scheme of financial rcorgani
zatlon was perfected. Egypt seemed to have
entered upon an era Of progress
1he army, however, had not been disbandcd
and the blight of Oriental caprice and dcspot-
Ism renamed. The troops had upset one Min
lStry and knew their power. Their former
grievance had been removed, their arrears of
pay pclhg promptly met, but their mutinous
disposition mad not been OutgroYn Thr.e
times this year they have given evidence of
INSTRUMENTATION, and finally they have made
successful demonstration at the gates Of tbc
palace lrritated by certain military onnoint-
mcDts which had caused dissatisfaction o,a
also by the orders given for the transfer of ono
regiment from Cairo to Alexandria. tbcv bo,o
demanded the dismissal of the Ministry and
named ChcIif who was in Office when IsmaiI
abdicated, as the next President of tbe Councn
lhe old cry against foreign intervention boo
been raised, and the sovereign AGAIN hoo,
forced TO comply with the wishes of his mutt
nous troops. Asiat0 caprice has trnmphcd for
the moment over the orderly instincts of Frro-
pean civilization What the soldiers have ,l
ready done second time may be repeotod
whenever they choose to take an interest IN
politics. 50 that II Ministry will remain in o0iro
only so long as it suits the pleasure Of = moh
Inns condition Of affairs is so ntolcrablo that il
Is PLAN that some form of European intc,yen-
ton may speedily be expected.