Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-03
The EGYPTIAN Middle.

British craftsmanship bids fair soon to
be put to tests such as it has not been
subjected to for generations. The Egyp-
tian muddle, which, by prompt action,
might have probably been cleared up
ere this, every day grows thicker, and its
settlement seems to be farther off than
ever. There can be but two solutions to
it. The recognition of Arab as the
chosen ruler of Egypt, or his overthrow
and the restoration of the Khedival
government under Tewfk or some
other prince. If Arab is sui
fered to 90 forward unimpeded in his
career, he must perforce be recognized
as the ruler of Egypt, or at least as the
arbiter of its destinies. If he is to be
crushed out, the question is, who shall
undertake the tasks England has an
nounced her determination and the
Sultan his willingness to do so. England
insists upon her right to undertake the
work bv reason of her interests IN
Egypt and the East and will only con
sent to Turkish co operation under her
direction. 1t would appear, however,
that the Sultan, by reason OF his suze-
rainty over Egypt. naturally has a right
to restore order there, and that Englands
interference would be extraordinary, and
justified only by necessity.
While it cannot be denied that England
has good grounds for seeing Arabs rebel
lion put down, the powers do not seem to
be greatly impressed with their strength.
France, at first her ally, has backed
squarely down, and appears 20 feel no
more interest in the land of the pyramids
than in Timbuctoo Italy was next
sought as a British ally, but coldiy de
cllned-Austria holds aloof, and Bis
marck shrewdly keeps his counsel.
Within the last few days, however, the
Car has concluded that England
is travelling at too rapid a
pace, and gives a hint that
CONVEYS much more than it implies.
Plainly, England must go forward or
back down. The former course will ex.
pose her to unknown perils, and the lat
ter will subject the Gladstone Ministry
to the contempt and ridicule of the
British war party.
The governments policy has been a
series of blunders and delays. The forts
at Alexandria were leveled for
no apparent reason. The destruc-
ton of that city and the horrors
involved therein followed. Even then,
had a strong land force been at
hand to follow up Admiral Seymour's
work, the question might have been
much nearer solution. But thus far only
scanty contingent of British troops has
set foot in Egypt, and Arab daily grows
stronger. Gladstone, though he came
into power by denouncing Beaconsfield's
so-called "Jingo" policy. has been forced
to adopt it and apparently does not
know how to apply it. The Tories keep
quiet and bide their time The Ministry
are doing the work they would do,
although bunglingly, but sufficiently
well for their purposes.
Matters have come to such pass that
we are told that Parliament may shortly
be dissolved by Gladstone himself or by
the Marquis of Salisbury, upon succeed
ing to the Premiership. The first would
mean that Gladstone wishes popular as
surance to go ahead, and the second
would be a confession of his inability to
deal with the problem and his willing
ness to entrust it to other hands.
Whether any member of the opposition
would fare better may be doubted.
Truly, a wonderful man is Arab. He
has toppled over one Cabinet, is under
mining another, and may yet set all
Europe at lOggerheads.