Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-05-26
THE EXISTING PLAQUES OF EGYPT.

The telegraph is daily telling the public
about eveAts that are occurring in Egypt,
and as both France and England have sent
war vessels there, it is evident that those
events are of a serious character. But to
understand their bearing and nature is not
easy. Examination of the map shows that
now the French are occupying Algeria and
Tunis, the neighborhood of Egypt, and the
interest they hold in the Suez canal they
dug there, make Egyptian matters OF i'm
portance to them. AS the Suez canal is the
Euglish highway to her vast Indian possess
sions in the East and as Egypt owes English
capitalists vast amounts of money, that
country has also an important stake in the
land of the Nile. Germany, Austria and
Italy have sufficient interests of one kind or
another to make them also active observers
OF whatever is going on in Egypt, and especi-
ally they are interested in seeing that neither
England nor France become sole masters of
the country. In this way the Egyptian
question is a European uestion, but why is
the question in such an excited condition
Just now? Khedive Ismail was a man of
expensive tastes; he built railroads and pal
aces; started manufactures, and laid in a
large stock of wines and ballet-dancers
These things cost much money, and as his
taxes did not supply the amount he bor-
roWed enormously, principally from the
English. When payday came there was no
cash, aud the khedive's creditors and dis
satisfied subjects dismissed him and put in
the present khedive, together with European
officers, to reform the tax collection and
regulate its expenditure, SO as to give
chance of obtaining their annual interest
payments. This left large number of pa
triotis Egyptians without their full share of
place and profit" and a knownothing party
was established, with Egypt for the Egyp-
tians" for their war cry. Araby Boy,
a man who had more influence with
the ARMY than is possessed by
the khedive, headed the movement, was
successful in little revolution he gor up,
and he made himself minister of war and
favored an extension of the army and an in
crease of its pay, together with a removal of
Europeans from Office and other things, all
of which looked bad for the payment of the
country's creditors. A civil war appears
probable-if it break out the lives of Euro
pean officials will be in danger. The sultan
of Turkey is suzerain OF Egypt, and the
khedive rules by his authority. This au-
thority has become loose and exists only be-
cause England and other powers give it
partial support. The sultan regards the
present troubles as fine opportunity to re-
establish his authority, and is getting ships
and men together to enforce order among the
contestants, and this intention TO interfere
which the powers will probably prevent his
carrying out-of course increases and COM
Plicates the disorder. Italy is understood to
be getting up feet to join England and
France. The shipping, however, can interfere
only In Alexandria, the seaport, while the
disturbers carry on their operations at Cairo
and the interior. Ii actual strife occur, as
Is probable, the Arabs from the desert will
join the afray and greatly add to the con-