New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-11
THE EG YPTT1N CRISIS.

Affairs in Egypt are rapidly culminat-
ing. The English Admiral has threat
ened to lombard Alexandria to-day unless
the forts are surrendered to him. Will
Arab Pacha at the last moment
Weld Is the man who is now the real
ruler of Egypt, and has defed the authority
OF the Sultan, likely to retreat from his posi-
ton at the threats of England9 few hours
will show-in fact, it is even reported that the
bombardment has actually begun.
Meantime, the exact position of the Khedive of
Egypt Is one of those vexed questions among in
ternationa iurists which have never yet been
exactly settled. Afterthe expulsion of the French,
Mehemet Ali, an Albanian adventurer born in
Roumelia, was proclaimed Viceroy by the
Cairene Sheikhs in 1905. He became sole
master of Egypt, and organized powerful
army and navy. Having annexed the Soudan
he conquered Syria, and annhilated the
Turkish army at KOniah in 1882. But for
the interference of the Russians he would have
entered ConStantinOple. The Treaty OF
Kutaieh, concluded between the Porte and its
vassal. recognized the feudal sovereignty of
Mehemet Ali over Egypt Crete, Syria and the
large district of Adana. War broke out again
in 1882, IN which England espOused the part of
the Turks, and in 1910 a treaty was made to
which Great Britain, Prussia, Russia and
Austria were all parties. Under this treaty
Egypt became a self-governng province.
The order of succession was fixed in accordance
with the imperial rule of descent, and Mehemet
Ais right was guaranteed, subject only to
tribute payable to the Sultan, and limitation
as to the number of the Egyptian army. So
matters continued until his death and during
the short reigns of his three successors. In
1868 Ismail Pacha succeeded to the throne,
and a new epoch opened III the history of the
country. The official relation of the ruler of
Egypt to the Porte still continued. Ismal was
only rail- or Governor General. With this
position he was not content Shortly after his
succession he opened negotiations with the
Porte, and by increasing the annual tribute
from E376,000 to G675,000, obtained the
title of Khediv-el -Misr, or King of Egypt, with
the succession direct to his eldest son. But the
old limitations against contracting debts with
ont leave of the Porte or entering into CONNER
cal treaties still continued In 1872 another
firnan was issued which conferred on him
every attribute of sovereignty except the right
of being represented by ambassadors tram
melted only by an increased tribute and mill
tary aid in time of war. Both these frmans
were communicated to and acknowledged and
approved by all the great Powers.
The status 50 created has puzzled the
iurists ever since. Sir Robert Phillimore in
the case of the Chdrkieh, decided against the
claim of the khedive TO sovereign rank.
Wheaton, however, takes different view, and
regards the Khediye a sovereign. Even in
1888, under the ef1eminate rule of Abbas
Pacha, when it was thought that the Tanzimat
or Charter of Reforms granted by the Porte
was in force in Egypt, the claim was success
fully repudiated. The difficulty which the
jurists and diplomatists are now called upon to
face is this If the KhedIve is sovereign in
his own right subject only to the rendering of
feudal dues to his chief, what right has the
Sultan to step in and insist upon the Egyptians
receiving again the hated Giaour And, indeed,
the indsposition Of the Sultan to interfere is
not difficult to understand if we look ut the
matter from his point of view. His authority
over the country, such as it is is recognized by
all the Powers. Even Arab Boy admits the
Sultans rights while declining to trust himself
in Constantinople And the Sultan may natur-
ally be expected to regard the outbreak in
Egypt from Moslem point of view. He evil
tirely due to English and French interference,
and that the movement is legitimate and
national attempt to throw off the foreigner.
The Porte may also have other views Should
Arab ultimately dethrone the Khedive the
present status quo, so far as the reigning
family is concerned, would cease. All the
rights of the Khedive would go with it. Any
bargains made either with Mehemet Ali or
Ismail would by such an event be annulled.
The Sultan could then enter into new negota-
tons with new reigning power and obtain an
increased tribute. II, on the other hand, Arab
should be suppressed either by England or
other Powers, the authority of the Sultan will
be acknowledged by them without his risking
the opportunity of a new deal. On these
grounds the hesitation of the Sultan to inter-
vene becomes not only reasonable, but the best
policy for his own interests, and on such only
can he be expected to act.
CAMERON IDEAS OF HARMONY