The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-12
VOL. 17---NO. so.
The Situation in Egypt.

Our cable dispatches dated Alexandria at
midnight last night state that the English con-
sui there has sent notice to the other consuls
advising them to notify their countrymen to
quit the city within twenty four hours The
Egyptians, In spite of their assertions to the
contrary, have been continuing their work of
fortlfying and mounting guns and Admiral
Seymour has, therefore, 1t is stated, summoned
the authorities to surrender the Notifications
within twelve hours, under penalty, in case of
refusal, of bombardment at the end of further
period Of twenty four hours Arabis breach of
faith is of course inexcusable, and, from pre-
sent indications, may render practically useless
the conference of the representatives of the
western powers sitting at Constantinople Up
to the present time the Porte has steadily re-
fused to be represented at it, although express
ing Its willingness to act Independently in send
ing troops to Egypt to restore order and re-
establish the authority of the Khedive To
this France and England object. France, be-
cause of the effect that Turkish occupation of
Egypt would have on her Algerian possessions
and her protectOrate in Tunis. Englands OBJ
lection arises from two causes First, from the
fact that if a Turkish army were once estab-
lished in Egypt it might be kept there in
definitely, and next, because it might tend to
enlarge the powers of the Sultan over a coun-
try which is now semi independent of the Porte,
and owes no further allegiance to it than is com
pIlS6u III q I0COSulLOu Oh the SllLeras0JV OF tne
Sultan and the payment of annual tribute.
The existing relation of the Khedive is that of
a feudal chieftian to his overlord, owing him
tribute and limited feudal service, but inde-
pendent in all things else.
The condition laid down at the conference by
Lord Duferln as preliminary to armed interven-
ton IN Egypt by Turkey were that the Khedive's
position as quasi sovereign shall be recognized
by the Porte that the period of Turkish occupa-
tion shall be limited and defined, and that
1Arabi Bey shall be dismissed from power. The
conference appears to have agreed to these con-
dltons, and formal invitation was to be given
to the Porte to-day, asking intervention on these
terms. The answer was requested to be sent in
by Wednesday. In the event of these condi-
tons being refused 1T seems now probable that
! the work OF restoring order in Egypt and of
vindicating the authority of the Khedive will
be entrusted mainly to England The plan of
opera ions-or what is said to be the plan-has
Just been published. 1t entrusts the guardian
ship of the Suez canal to troops from India, al
ready waiting at Bombay for orders to embark.
they consist of Goorkahs, Sikhs and Sepoys
under Sir Herbert Macpherson, who distin-
gulshed himself with General Roberts in
Afghanistan in 1880. The European expedi-
tionary force is to consist of forty thousand men,
OF whom twenty five thousand will be put in
the field and fifteen thousand held as a reserve.
The landing place selected is said to be that
famous Bay of Aboukir where Nelson fought
the battle of the Nile in which nearly the whole
French feet that conveyed Napoleon to Egypt
was destroyed. 1t was at the same point also
that Sir Ralph Abercromby effected landing in
| 1901 IN the face of an oposing force. Aboukir
is but thirteen miles northeast of Alexandria,
and landing there would present no difficulty
II supported by covering feet.-Baltimore
Sun.
The following dispatch was received in this
city yesterday:
ALEXANDRIA, June 18th, 1882.
The Alexandra" Sultan" and Superb. +"
opened fire upon the Notifications. The bat
teries at replied, but their shots at first fell
short of the ships. The rest of the feet then
opened fire and the action became general
After twenty minutes cannonading two of the
forts ceased firing. The ships, as far as can be
seen, have not suffered any damage.