Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-06-08
Egyptian Complications.

EgypJ WIN SIdIIlluS IdplulGg tudt
makes the situation there exceeding
complex and hard to understand. 1t is
the more difficult because of the duplici-
ty of at least two of the factors in the
problem-Arabi Bey and the Sultan;
and the uncertainty and indecision of
another, the Anglo-French mediation.
The only party in the state that appears
to be actuated by any principle at all is
the Egyptian National party, whose
watchword is Egypt for Egyptians"
and this party appears to be of least
consequence in the settlement
The former Khedive spent vast sum
of money in attempting to modernize
Egypt, and issued bonds to an amount
that taxed the revenues of Egypt to pro-
vide for. His reckless expenditures at
last worried out the patience of all con-
cerned, and he was deposed. European
influence has since that time been para
mount in Egypt, the pressure being di-
rectly or indirectly through the Egypt
ian bondholders. Europe sent horde
of economists and scientists to help car
ry on the public administration and en-
able the revenues to pay the interest on
the bonds. The present Khedive owes
his Anglo French support to the fact
that he stands pledged to carry out Ger
tain reforms-among others to pay the
interest on the bonds Now, in carrying
out this policy the old Egyptian officials
were replaced by Europeans or Syrians
The Copts were set aside, and the young
Egyptians found every avenue of prog
ress closed against them. This led to
the formation of the young Egypt"
party, which has now become the ma
tional party" The army, which is COLI
trolled by Arab Bey.desires more mill
tary form of government. 1t wants
more pay and emoluments, and hates to
see the revenues of the state "wasted"
by paying bonds with them. The army
has, therefore sought to control the
Khedive. When the English-French
fleet arrived the Khedive grew bold and
deposed Arab. The Sultan outwardly
sustained the Khedive, but, it is now be-
lieved, secretly urged Arab Bey to con-
tinue his defiant attitude. For it begins
to seem clear now that the Sultan really
desires to see the reform Khedive over
thrown, and the old Ottoman system of
plunder by military pachas restored.
The one thing about the Turk which
changeth not is his hatred for laws and
honest political administration and his
love for plunder by his military satraps.
If, therefore, the Turkish ironclads sup
port Arab Bey instead of the Khedive.
England and France will have no right
to be surprised. The dishonesty and
cunning of Turkish diplomacy is proven
bial. 1t is more utterly uhscrupulous
than any other In Europe-and that is
saying very much.
England is not just now in situation
to get into war, for she has her hands
full; France is well in the mood for
strengthening her hold on Tunis. En-
gland will not venture into war with the
Turk unless it be forced on her; but if
she does, it will be bad for the Turk.
For Russia would like nothing better
than to march on Constantinople, and
would doubtless begin it as soon as En-
gland and France become enemies in
stead of friends of Turkey. Should En-
gland once begin hostilities in Egypt, it
will end in only one way-a protectorate
over Egypt, and protectorate that will
lead to colonization and absorption.
The suzerainty of the Porte will proba-
bly, end in Egypt, anyhow. If the du-
plicity of the Sultan in this matter be
shown, it will be mere measure of pre-
caution on the part of the European
powers to put an end to the authority
of the Porte in Egypt. England and
France have both vital interests at stake.
The French colonies in Northern Africa
are nenaced by the present complica-
ton. The control of the Suez Canal,
which is so important to England. is
menaced by the overthrow of the Khe-
dive. The prestige of both England
and France is involved, and it is not
easy to see any creditable line of retreat.
They must support the Khedive and put
down Arab Bey at all hazards.
Such seems to be the situation at pres
ent, but the whole thing is like the fight
ing of jackals over carcass rather than
like an effort to establish any whole
some principle of government. There
is hardly any factor of the problem that
would not change sides in moment if
offered any reasonable price for doing
so. Whichever side wins, the working
people are pretty sure to be the losers.
-Ralt American