The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-08-13
Small Hone Now for Arab.

Wnen on thursday the DulUan ueleYaUo
laid before the conference the draft OF an
trade proclaiming ARADI Pasha and his adj
herents rebels, a step was taken which cannot
be otherwise regarded than as the beginning
Of the end. 1t is true that the decree has not
yet been officially issued, but to withhold 1t
now would be an impertinence to the powers
represented at STEAMBOAT, and 1t seems clear
that ABDUL-HAMID has been constrained by
tho outspoken and firm support given to
Lord DUFFERIN by the German envoy to
abandon his system Of double-dealing and
delay, and range himself openly upon the
side of TEwFIK and Great Britain.
When the text Of this proclamation Is pub
llshed throughout Egypt, the rebellious Min
lister will lose at once the countenance OF
those who have been induced by specious ru-
mors and the ambiguous conduct Of the
Porte to believe that the Vaccinations OF the
military party were viewed without disfavor.
II not with positive satisfaction, by the Sui
tan. 1t is extremely doubtful whether ARAB
will be able to hold together any con-
siderable force when his officers under
stand that they will have to cope not
only with British soldiers of whose merit
they know nothing by experience, but with
that Ottoman infantry whose prowess they
had chance Of witnessing at Plevna. While
they may imagine though mistakenly, that
Egyptian troops, buoyed up by religious fer
vor could hold their own against an English
army, they cannot seriously believe them q
match for Turkish veterans. Their misgiv-
ings upon this point will be apt to be singular
ly deepened by the consciousness that they
can at any moment make their own peace
with the Porte by deserving their party chief.
We should not, therefore, be surprised II
the mere publication Of the trade were to
be followed by an immediate dissolution
Of the so-called national movement. Such
result, indeed, may be postponed by
doubts Of the genuineness Of the decree, or
by the surmise that the Turkish troops,
once landed, would make common cause with
their co-religionists. For such an expecta-
ton We can see no ground, for insubordina-
ton has not been known in the Turkish army
since it was reorganiZed about fifty years
ago. That the Sultan himself would sanction
such q gross act Of treachcry Is incredible.
His chief commercial cities, Smyrna and
Salonica, and even his capital, lie open to
bombardment from the English fleet, and his
grasp upon the remnant Of Ottoman terri
tory in Europe would be abruptly sundered
by any fragrant breach OF faith. No, the
pledges which ABpUL-HAMID gives the con-
ference will be kept, and 80 long as Mr..
GLADSTONE has Prince BISMARCK at his
back the Turkish troops will act in concert
with the British forces.
1t Is, Of course, just possible that the desire
OF revolution in the Caliphate, which is
said to be widely felt in the Arab section Of
the Egyptian population, may lead the
Ulemas OF Cairo to venture on the perilous
step of deposing ADDUL-HAMID from the
spiritual hcadship of Islam, and pro-
claiming new Commander Of the
Faithful. But they will be likely to
hesitate long before committing species Of
| treason, for which, under Moslem law, no
pardon is possible in this world or the next.
And II the dissatisfaction Of the Arabs with
the Ottoman Caliph Is ever to find vent in
overt demonstrations, it might be well for
ABDuL-HAMID If the outbreak could come
now, when no would practically have
| behind him tho forty million Mus
sulmans Of India as well "a the
immense financial and military re-
sources of Great Britain. With an English
fleet in the Red Sea- the Sultan would have
no difficulty in occupying Mecca and Medina,
and, once actual master OF the two shrines
over which at present his authority Is but
nominal, he could afford to laugh at the ap.
prehensions OF an Arabian caliphate, which
for many years have haunted the rulers Of
the house Of OTHMAN.