Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-06-17

has been gathering force.
It has, however, been impossible for any
Khedive to adopt thorough nationalist
programme, for the reason that a success
sion of extravagant and selfish rulers had
plunged Egypt into debt to such an extent
that the whole country found itself mort
gagged to England and France. And when
at last the credit of the khedives collapsed,
and they could borrow no more millions to
squander in luxury, the European powers
demanded that the financial administration
of Egypt should be delivered over to
Commission composed of English and
French government officials, and that they
should have very full powers over the gep-
eral administration. This was done, and
for several years the Egyptian finances
have been admirably managed in conse-
quence, and the condition Of the people has
greatly improved. For whereas under the
old method the Pashas were always ex.
torting and plundering and outraging the
Fellahs, the European financiers put an
end to all these abuses, made taxation uni.
form and reasonable, and inspired such con.
fdence in the Fellahs that they came for
ward and paid their dues in full without
murmuring-a fact of the utmost signif-
canoe to those who are familiar with the
Egyptian character. The new administra-
ton was in short steadily leading Egypt
out of darkness into light but it failed to
satisfy the old Pasha and military class,
which had lived and fattened on rapine and
extortion, which had long been accustomed
to cheat the Government and rob the peo-
pie right and left, and which therefore
chafed and fretted under the restraints
to which it was subjected.
This class has for several years been
skillfully employing the growing nationalist
sentiment to cover measures designed
ultimately to break down the foreign admin
istrative system, and to restore the OLD op-
pressive and plundering methods. Pressure
was brought to bear upon the Khedive to
make him grant Constitution and Par
lament. This movement was no doubt
partly genuine Nationalist and partly rev.
dictionary. The Khedive refused Con-
stitution, on the ground that the country
was not ripe for it, but granted sort of
parliament In the form of a Chamber of
Notables. But as the Government was
really in the hands of England and France,
through their Controllers General. the only
result of any effort to inaugurate new
administrative system through the Cham
Der of Notables could be to precipitate a
collision. The Chamber must remain a
mere dummy or the foreign administra-
ton must give way. The purpose of the
Pasha party that put forward Arab Bey
has been from the first to render the for
eign administration odiors and impossible,
and to this end they have used the national
ist sentiment quite adroitly. The attitude
of the Porte in regard to the matter is
not at present quite clear. 1t is accused
of having secretly urged Arab Bay to per-
severe, while it was openly supporting the
Khedive. 1t is possible that the Sultan
thinks the opportunity good to restore
his almost vanished sovereignty in Egypt.
This, however, is calculated to bring the
nationalist sentiment to the front in very
serious way. For while the Egyptians are
followers of Islam, and recognize the re-
ligious authority of the Caliph. they are
ready to fight the Turks whenever the lat
ter appear as the champions of foreign
authority.
Thus it is that the Egyptians appear at
this moment to be equally opposed to the
Turks and to France and England, and, in
fact, to all foreigners. The leaders of the
movement of which Arab Bey is the
figure-head wish to make Hahn Pasha
Khedive, thus changing the dynasty,
overthrowing the financial arrangements
for the liquidation of the national debt,
and restoring the old lax and irregular
conditions. The Nationalist cry which
has been used to secure the cooperation of
the army and the populace of the great
cities, is snare and delusion. It is not
possible that any reforms should come out of
the elements which are behind Arab Bey,
who himself is merely daring swash-
buckler, without administrative talent, but
quite ready to cut throats The riot in
Alexandria last Sunday was beyond question
deliberately arranged by the sham Nation
alist leaders, who appear to think they can
count upon thu forbearance of England
and France, and especially upon their ap-
prehension as to what the Porte may do if
it cnce gets footing in Egypt. No doubt
the mob as in all such cases, went much
farther than had been intended, and what
was probably meant only for formidable
demonstration ended in bloodshed. The
popular sentiment once reused is not easily
to be allayed, moreover, and the religious
fanaticism always latent in Cairo and
Alexandria makes residence in those cities
both disagreeable and dangerous for Eu.
ropeans. The difficulties of the European
powers, however, are very great. They
are afraid to let Turkey undertake the
suppression of the Egyptian mutiny, and
they cannot themselves interfere unless
they are prepared to conquer Egypt
and then hold her. If Tewfk Pasha
possessed the frmness of his great ancestor
Mehemet Ali he would make short work
of Arab Bey and his hackers, but unfor.
tunately he is very weak man, and con-
sequently he only makes the situation
more embarrassing. At present it looks as
if European Intervention might be rendered
unavoidable, as the sole alternative with
allowing the Sultan to recover the sover.
eighty of Egypt, or permitting the Arab
Bey party to pull down all that the powers !