The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1882-06-23

England and Egypt.
1t is quite evident from the tone of
the debate in the English parliament,
as well as from the progress of events
in Egypt, that Gladstone either does
not comprehend the present situation
in the latter country or hat he is un-
able to meet the demands of the hour
and satisfy the minds of his incensed
countrymen. 1t seems to the on-look-
ing world that some man ought to come
to the front at this threatening crisis
of affairs in Egypt, and act with such
promptness and vigor as to effectually
suppress the factious leader who has
caused all this trouble, and so prevent
anything like a general European dis
turbance to which the existing revolt,
if unchecked, may lead. The turbu-
lent elements at Alexandria and Cairo
need to feel just now the strong hand
and voice of a master more than any
thing else. Were the first Napoleon
on the throne of France, or some man
like the Duke of Wellington at the
head of the British cabinet, this Egypt
ian rebellion would be stamped out be-
fore it had a chance to set ON fire the
inflammable feeling of the whole ma
ton. But, as it is, there is no telling
just when or where the revolt will
stop.
Arab Pacha, the newly arisen and
defiant Egyptian commander, is acting
with a recklessness of courage which
betokens an intoxicated novice or a
desperate schemer and plotter. lie is
apparently determined TO make himself
the settled ruler of the land or imbroil
all Europe in a general war without
caring very much what consequences
may flow therefrom. Under the guild
ance and inspiration of the popular
motto, Egypt for the Egyptians" he
is evidently working upon the secret
principle, Egypt for myself in opposi-
ton to the present khedive and his
foreign counselors." Stripped Of all
p%retense, the contest going on there
seems to be in reality over the question
as to who shall be the biggest man in
the melee, and who shall be on top
when the quarrel is ended. Arabi's
head has either been turned by the sud-
denness of his elevation, or else he is
working for a purpose, and with a de-
sign deeper and more radical than any
thing which he has yet displayed. And
probably nothing but the lapse of time
will disclose what is the real aim and
idea of the man in the course which he
is now pursuing.
But for England there is only one
course to pursue. France looks to Glad
stone to go ahead and devise some
method of restoring order and pacify-
ing the country. BY virtue of existing
treaties, these two nations alone have
power to directly interfere in the inter
nal administration of Egyptian affairs.
But Gladstone is getting old and feeble,
and he has already the most difficult
kind of an Irish job on hand, and so,
instead of rising to the height of the
occasion and making his word felt at
the scene of turmult, he contents him
self with standing in the background
and telling the other great powers to
urge upon the sultan the necessity of
calling a general European conference
at Constantinople at once; all of which
is rather a ~humiliating spectacle for a
nation which claims to be the mistress
Of the seas aud the virtual dictator of
European policy. The fact is, Glad
stone was never fitted for a man of war.
But by instinct, education, habits of
thought and feeling, and long continued
peaceful pursuits, he is least at home
in the midst Of turbulent and stormy
scenes of actual conflict. In parlia-
mentary debate he has perhaps no
equal, but in camp n court, with the
air full of flying missiles and threats of
violence, he is as weak as a child. The
elements for a military hero and a man
of prompt and decisive action were
never in him. He prefers and enjoys
wordy contests in halls of legislative
debate, or the thoughtfulness and ST.
lence OF a secluded and clustered study.
And if these acknowledged Weaknesses
of his character shall be the means of
his second overthrow as premier,
the world will neither pity mol wonder
at his downfall, although it may still
admire his noble character and
record.