The Phoenix herald., 1882-09-15
Mcclellan on the Egyptian War

In the September Century, Gen.
George p. Mcclellan, writing ON
THE War in Egypt criticizes as
follows the war measures of the
English: "The first mutlny of Arab
his first insolcnce to his master,
should have been promptly and de-
cIsively rebuked, even had it been
necessary 10 land q force for the
purpose. If the mutual Jealousy of
France and England prevented their
nipping This difficulty in the bud by
combined action, II would haYe been
better for England had she boldly
taken the matter in hand, and acted
promptly on her own account, taking
the ground that her Indian interests
and tie free use of the Suez canal
rendered such a couIse imperative.
But temporizing policy prevailed
and, closing her eyes against the fu-
ture, England allowed matters to
drift on from bad to worse, now and
again uttering futile protests, but
doing nothing to guard against the
inevitable result. AT length an Eng
lish fleet gathered in the harbor of
Alexandria, and an ultimatum sent
10 tue Egyptian authorities, only 10
be contemporary disregarded. But,
unlike the practice of England in
former times, it was not promptly
followed by resort to the ulttnaa
ratio reguna, and her ignorant and
puny foe not unnaturally concluded
that it never would be. Then came
bloody massacre in the streets of
Alexandria, the history of which we
do not fully know as yet-either how
it was commenced or who suffered
most from l. Statements have been
published that il was commenced by |
Europeans. But the probabilities
are that the riot was melted by |
natives aciuated by fanatism and |
love OF plunder--motives not always |
entirely distinct.
Here again was an occasion for
prompt action; but it was allowed to
pass, and Arab continued fortifying
the harbor. Certainly, it was now
clear that Arab meant to fight, the
only question being the extent to
which his men would stand by him.
By this time the English must have
determined to demand he surrender
of the forts, ard, in case of refusal,
to open fire. Their guns could les
troy and burn the town-one very
likely 10 follow from the other. If
The garrison retired-as would no
doubt be the case when the forts
were silenced-it was certain that
The spirit displayed during the re-
cent massacre would lead to further
scenes of murder. plunGer and des-
which the guns of the feet
could prevent only by the destruc-
ion of the very objects it was de-
,irable to save 1t was very clear.
hen, that the attack of the fleet once
BENG determined upon, common
sense demanded that there should be
present and available when it COM
nenced a sufficient body of troops to
De landed as soon as the forts were
TO protect the city and i'm
follow up the retreating
yarrison,so as TO destroy the prestige
Of Arab, and prevent the rising from
becoming a general, national. or re-
igious movement
The dilemma is unpleasant for any
ldmircr of Eng liant and her institu-
ions; either she is unable-thl oIgh
defective organization, maladminis-
ration, lack of energy, or too full
occupation of her resources nearer
homc-either, We say, she is unable
o call upon reasonable notice an ex-
force of ten or fifteen
thousand men, OF her government
acked the wisdom to anticipate the
necessity for suca y force at
given time, and roved their in
to direct military cxpe-
Iitions abroad. The excuse that the
xigencies of diplomacy tied their
lands is not good one, for in this
Instance there was at stake whatever
f importance the Suez canal and
eace in Egypt may have for Eng
and, and it was one of those cases
7Aere strong nation is fully justi-
ed in running risks and Inc urring
on the side of safety
or its most vital Interests.