The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-19
EGYPT

real merits of the Egyptian case. What
right, one may ask, have England and
France in Egypt2 But what right has
the Turk there? Egypt has been, and
must almost necessarily be, in the pre-
sent degraded condition of her popula-
ton, the prey of some stronger power.
Turkey, clearly, ought to be required to
relax her hold. She has no business
there, and she has only been there for
misgovernment and evil. More than this,
Turkey herself is nearly as helpless as
Egypt, and must soon be driven to the
Asiatic side of the Bosphorus. And if
the Turk were gone, and Europe should
stand off, who would be ruler in Egypt
then? The people of Egypt? But who
are the people of Egypt? The Copts, who
are the descendants of the ancient Egyp-
tians, do not number more than half a
million, while the Arabs and Turks num-
Der four or FIVE millions The Bedouin
would fall heir to Egypt if Arab Pasha
were allowed to have his way. The plea
of Arab Pasha and the national party"
is that the British and French have been
guilty of maladministration. But is
Turkish administration half so good2
England and France, in virtue of their
pecuniary claims, by formal treaty, as we
know, obtained control in the country,
and they proceeded to administered
Egypt pretty much as England admin
istered India. English and French Of
tioials were put in all places of trust,
superseding the Turks, and Arabs, and
Copts. But of course Egypt improved.
She began to figure as an important
country in the affairs of the world. Her
bonds became favorite security in Eu-
rope Great improvements VERY rash
ones in facD were undertaken and accom-
plished. The Khedive was friendly to
the missionaries, and the mission work
prospered in Egypt.
The ~ Y Observer publishes letter
from the veteran missionary in the East,
the Rev. Dr. Jessup, who happened to be
IN Alexandria when the first massacre
took place. We should presume that DR..
Jessup was about as competent as any
one to arrive at correct view of matters
In that quarter, while it is proper at the
same time to say that the same journal
publishes letter which takes very diff
ferent view, from the Hon. Mr.. Barrin-
ger who has resided in Egypt eleven
years, and who champions the cause of
the national" party and Arab Pasha.
DR.. Jessup witnessed the exodus of
Europeans from Egypt-and remarks
that it far exceeded the exodus from
Syria during the massacres of 1860, and
the cholera panic of 1865. Zone con-
slant stream of human beings is pouring"
he writes, into Alexandria from the in
terlor-seven trains day from Cairo
and the harbor covered with endless pro-
cessions of sail boats, row-boats, steam
tugs, barges, and launches, carrying the
refugees to ships in the harbor." From
Alexandria to Cairo, he says, the cry of
the Moslems is, Va Islam" and Din
Ell Islam Ooh Islam, and the religion of
Islam). The people believe, he says, that
the Sultan is encouraging Arab and his
party, and the scheme is to drive every
European out of Egypt. AS to Arab,
he says, the prevailing opinion is that he
is fanatical Muslim-resolved at heart
on the determination of the Christians in
Egypt, native and foreign.
Since this letter was written the bonn
bardment has taken place, and Arab has
fed from Alexandria with his army,
leaving that city to be plundered, and
the Europeans to the sword Of the infu-
rated rabble. The papers inform us
that the prisons were opened, and the
convlcts, with the lower classes, and some
Bedouins, proceeded to sack the city and
kill every Christian they could find, hay
ing first set on fire this metropolis of the
South Mediterranean, which is now in
ruins.
The affair appears to us (not well in
formed Of course) to have been poorly
managed by the English. There seems
10 have been unnecessary loss of time in
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