Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-07-11
THE ROW IN EGYPT.

Our dispatches announce that the
Egyptian difficulties have eliminated
in a determination on the part of the
Great European powers to make war,
and the bOmbardment Of Alexandra
will commence this morning.
Its something more serious, therefore,
than an agitation among American
spectators to adyaneethe price grain,
though it may now serve that purpose
to an appreeiable extent.
Debt and taxes are at the bottom Of
Egypt's troubles. Within fifteen years
Egypt has contracted public debt of
O.,o. S4nn 900 nnn N-:-s-,s- -Ls-n-- -
the attempts to Europeanize the nation,
advance public works, and to a great
degree from the reckless expenditures Of
the ex-Khediye.
When the nation became virtually
bankrupt the English and French cred
itors assumed the management of the
finances. The land tax IS about one
half of the total revenue. Nearly two
thirds of the annual expenditures are
for interest on the public debt. Ever
since her foreign creditors have con-
trolled her finances there has been great
dissatisfaction among the natives, which
has finally resulted in open revolt
against the English and French govern
mentS.
The grievances of the natives were re-
Gently succinetly stated by Judge GEO. s.
BACHELLER ofthe international tribunal
in Egypt, the court which settles all dis
putes between foreigners and natives.
Judge BACHELLER states that "the dis
affection of the Egyptians grows out of
the feeling that, now that IsMAIL can
no longer practice his extravagant sys-
tenn, and the Khedive is an economical
and prudent ruler, they should be per-
mitted at least to try the experiment of
selfgovernment. The joint control has
also greatly offended the Egyptians by
its arrogance aud its extravagant cos
to the treasury. Over forty high officials,
all of them Europeans, receive in an
nual salaries running from $4,000 down
to about s. 900, a gross amount of SILL
900. Egypt has only 100000 tillable
acres of land"
All the money for The expenditures of
the government must come from taxes
on the land. Each acre Of land in
Egypt must pay IS taxes, besides sup
porting an inhabitant. Foreign capital
is not taxed in that country, neither do
foreigners pay any taxes upon their
houses, stores or merchandise, while the
natives pay taxes upon all these. For
eigners are only taxed upon agricultur-
al lands, which is one Of their condi-
tons of taking this. The legal rate of
interest is II per cent, and it averages
at least -. Owing to treaty
privileges exacted from the OF
tOman government and the Khe-
dive, the foreigner enjoys far greater
legal privileges than the native, and is
subjected to none of the burdens of
maintaining the government which fur
nishes him with home. This naturally
ineenses the natives, who begin to think
that they are unduly interfered with
and oppressed by foreign governments
in a way never thought Of in regard to
other delinquent debtor powers. 1t is
the existence Of this popular national
feeling that gives ARABI PACHA his
power to-day. No matter how people
may regard ARABI PACHA, it is said that
there is no doubt that nine-tenths of
the better classes Of the Egyptians, in
GLIDING the local Christians, sustain
his movements.
Judge BACHELLER thinks there are
only two ways to settle the problem.
The first is for Europe to recognize the
situation and make terms with ARABI.
The other solution is the intervention of
Turkey. This is the only practical way
of employing force, but if the Turk goes
to Egypt it may be the overthrow of
ARABI PAsHA, and certainly the utter
ruin Of Egypt. Should the powers
make terms with ARAB he would prob
ably not object to the maintenance Of a
supervisory Inspection of their financial
administration by England and France,
buthe would not restore them to power.