Sharp County record., 1882-08-03
THE CAUSE OF THE WAR.
from the Kansas City JournahJ


As there seems to be some misunder'
standing as to the real cause Of the Egyp-
tian situation, we will bring together facts
which from time to time have appeared IN
the Journal.
Up to 1872 Egypt was virtually Tur-
kish province, the ruler being viceroy,
of Turkey, but in that year the powers OF
the head of the Egyptian nation were en-
larged and Ismall Paoha was given the
title of Khedive, with the right of success.
sion from father to son. The Khedive OF
Egypt then virtually became an i9depend
ent sovereign, on the condition of paying
tribute and giving military aid to Tur-
key in time Of war. Under such condi'
tions Ismall Pasha was ruling at the be-
ginning of Lord Beaeonsfeld's last ad'
ministration in England AS we have
stated before, Ismall Pasha attempted to
modernize Egypt. He called in foreign
eneineers and constructed railroads, tele-
graph lines, opera houses and expensive
palaces. He 5uilt docks and forts be lev
led war against the king of Abyssinnla,
and had his troops drilled and led by some
of the bravest American and French OH
GERS His rule was of the most extrava.
CANT and reckless character. lie was at.
tempting to ape European nations, anc
lacked the Judgment and experience to DO
so successfully.
There could be but one result from this
procedure, and as we have stated before,
he finally succeeded in fastening debt
of S4Ol ,965, 900 on the Egyptian people,
This debt has been borrowed of French,
English and German bankers at rates OF
interest ranging from II to 26 per cent.
Now as there are only 100000 acres OF
tillable land in Egypt, and as each acre
has to support one person and pay %
taxes per year, the debt became a terrible
burden on peasants, fellaheen as they are
called.
In 1876 the Khedive was no longer able
to meet the demands of his creditors.
England had in the meantime purchased
the Egyptian shares in the Sues canal,
and had an increased interest in the SIT
uation of Egypt. On account of these
causes France and England intervened
officially in the affairs Of Egypt, and the
nations assented Turkey could not op,
pose. and the other nations consented
from selfish motives.
England and France jointly recognized
the affairs of Egypt. They forced lsmal
Pasha to resign and placed his eldest son,
the present Khedive, on the throne. They
consolidated the various debts, perfecting
system of collecting the taxes and placed
the whole control of the civil service In
the hands of foreign officials.
Thus, in addition to their other wrongs,
the people of Egypt were compelled to
support foreign officials at enormous sal
aries. From that time On the tgyptlsns
have been we'll governed, but they have
been taxed into desperation and are prob
ably the most wretched people in the
world.
Ismall Pasha had left an army we'll Of
fcered. These men were ambitious, and
they took advantage of the discomfort OF
the PEOPLE. Arab Bey, an Arab of great
ability and cunning, acted az their mouth
piece. The army obeyed Arab, who rep
resented the people, not the khediye, who
represented England and France. The
Khedive could not enforce his authority
in favor of the foreign nations. Then
England and France protested. The khe-
dive asked Arab, as minister of war, to
enforce obedience. Arab claimed be was
only able to maintain order.
1t became evident that the people, the
army and Arab Bey were determined to
get rid of the Khehive, and place his un-
Gle, Prince Hahn on the throne. Hshm
has promulgated scheme of reform for
Egypt which he is anxious to enforce as
khedive. The government in Egypt came
to stand-stiil. England and France woro
afraid of each other and hated to interr
fero. They asked the sultan of Turkey
to use his influence to restore the old Or
der Of things. The sultan sent his minis
ters, and they not only failed, but their
attempt to replace the khedive IN auorsho-
ity, prscipitated a massacre of several
hundred Europeans. Arab Bey permit
ted the massacre. The event showed the
zeal objec Of hatred was European rule.
England thtestened to take possession of
Alexandria. A..
Arab Bey then showed bis hand and