Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-06-28
THE COMPLICATIONS IN EGYPT.
The Situation of the Khedive and His Ministry
Fully and Clearly Explained.
From the Providence Journal


Fully and Clearly Explained.
from the Providence Journal
In order to comprehend clearly the
Egyptian question:, so-called, and its
material bearing, it is first necessary to
recall briefly the events which have
taken place within the last half-dozen
years In connection with the administra-
ton of the Egyptian government. In
the year 1876 the alarming condition of
the affairs of Egypt, financial and adj
ministrative, seemed to call for the IN
tervention of the powers of Europe In
behalf of the interests OF the holders
OF Egyptian bonds. England and
France also felt that their supremacy
over the Suez Canal, if not in any i'm
mediate peril, was, at least, likely to be
threatened. At this time the khedlve,
Isman Pasha, was welding absolute and
despotie sway over the land. By his
reckless prodigality he had brought the
country to the brink of bankruptcy, and
matters were going from bad to worse.
The debts amounted to EGO, 900, 900, and
were constantly increasing. The whole
of this amount had been incurred In
fourteen years. In the meantime the
people were groaning beneath yoke of
taxation and tyranny that was slavery
save In name England and France
came to the rescue. 1t was intimated to
the khedive that he must reform
his government. This he engaged
to do, saying, In note to Eng
land, that in his future rule he would act
in concurrence with and under the ad-
vice of his ministers. But Ismail tailed
to carry out his agreement, still making
his own will the law, and exercising it In
the old despotic way. Finally, In 1878,
a high commission was appointed on be-
half of the powers, which made inquiry
into the administration of the govern
nent, and presented report, setting
forth all that could be learned concern
ing the khedive's oppressive rule and its
ruinous effects upon the country and the
finances. The principle was recognized
that any ameioration of the finances
must be accompanied by good govern
ment.
In 1879, Ismail Khedive was COM
PEELED to abdicate IN favor of his nephew,
Tewfik Pasha, the present khedive. and
since the accession of the Tewfik the adj
ministration of affairs has been carried
IN under the supervision of England and
France with Germany, Austria and Italy
behind them. In this supervision Eng
land and France are represented each by
8 Comptroller General, who ranks as
a minister, and is invested with ex-
traordinary powers. The comptrollers
have full authority to inquire into
every public service, including the
public debit" the departments all report
to them; they prepare the budget; they
can be removed only by the town govern
ments. In addition, in 1880, commits
sion of liquidation was appointed. I'm
der the = control and the commission
much has been accomplished in the di-
rection of ameliorating the condition of
the country. This is the status quo
which Is to-day threatened, aud which
the powers desire to see maintained.
On the other hand, party has been
recently formed IN Egypt calling itself
the national party, which is led by Arab
Bey, the minister of war, and the army.
Whether this party embraces any con-
siderable portion OF the population is as
yet an unanswered question outside of
Egypt. Arab Bey, the army, and the
nationals clamor for constitutional gov
eminent. Yet, while they do SO. they
aim their shafts at the 6 Control" which
has secured for the people all the con-
stitutional privileges that they have en-
loved. When the new ministry, with
Arab Bey as minister of war, came into
Office, the first article of it's programme
was to place the budget into the hands
of the chamber of notables.
This body is composed of about sew
enty-fve persons, nominated by local
officers, and chosen from the influential
and monied natives. Hitherto its pow
ers have been very limited and unim-
poatant. 1t is contended that the cham
Der is entirely subservient to Arab Bey
and the army, and that placing the bud
get in its hands would amount practically
to turning it over to the army. All this
while the army menaces the "Control :"
and the Khedlve, which stands with the
Control" and the powers cannot look
on with complacency when SO much
claimed, has grown to pro-
portions that cannot be justified by a
condition of peace, and it will be shown
that the efforts to bring up the finances
of the country have already been ham
pered by the increased military expend-
iture. The army is composed of all ele-
ments OF the Egyptian population except
the Coptic, the Arabs predominating
The Copts are excluded. A correspond
ent of the Nation, referring to Arab
Bey, remarks that he is by no means a
born leader, and cannot in any light be
looked upon as q Cromwell or Wash
ington. This view of him gives color to
the assertion that he is in degree act
ing under the influence of others.
dict. In case of absolute revolution IN
Egypt England may lose her control
over her great waterway to India. Would
she then ccc17nv E0vpt 2 Tn that case