The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-06-08
The Egyptian uuddIe.

In trying to set forth the precise
state of things in Egypt, it is well
to begin with the position of Tewfik
Pasha, the Khedive. Tewfik does
not want to do anything. He was
made Khedive for this purpose only.
His father, the ex-Khedive Ismail,
did things. He built railroads and
opera-houses, and imported Ameri-
can officers and French ballet-girls.
Naturally, he spent great deal of
money, and France and England be-
ing shocked at the spectacle pre-
sented by his extravaganza and the
low price ofEgyptian bonds, request
ed him to abdicate. In his place
they set up Tewfik Pasha, with the
understanding that he was to prac-
tice the profession of Khedive much
as an insurance president practices
his own profession, that is to say,
that he was to draw a large salary
and pay no attention to Egyptian
affairs.
Egypt has an army. 1t is very
bad one, and has as yet done only
one thing. This was to get a large
part of itself slaughtered by the
Abyssinisns, without even exhibit
ing intelligence enough to run away.
Some time ago, however, it occurred
to an Egyptian colonel-one Arab
Bey-that IL would be good idea to
mutiny, and demand little of the
pay which is always promised and
meyer paid to the Egyptian soldiers.
The mutiny was brilliantly success
full, and Arab Bey suddenly found
himself a great man, and, as such,
under obligations to do something
to sustain his reputation.
Thereupon Arab had himself
made minister of war, and under
took to govern the country. 1t is at
this point that the difficulties OF ex-
planning the Egyptian situation be-
gin. With Tewfik doing nothing
but drawing his salary, and Arab
ruling the country-or, in other
words, collecting taxes-with the
help OF the army, the situation would
have been a simple one, but, unfor-
tunately, Tewfik was suddenly seized
with the idea of doing something,
and as far as can be understood this
something was to mutiny against
Arab Bey. 1t thus happens that
Egypt is on the verge of a civil war
between Tewfik and Arab, and that,
as far as can be learned, the greater
part of the army sides with Arab
and only few regiments have taken
the khedive's part.
When the fighting begins it is be-
lived that Arabi's troops will imme-
diately slaughter all the Europeans
in Egypt, Arab having lately adopt
ed the cry, Egypt for the Egyp-
tians," and quoted, with warm
approval, Washington's order to
"put none but Egyptians on guard"
taking place, England and France
have both sent fleets to Egypt, and
threaten to land troops and occupy
the country. 1t may be assumed
that neither the French nor the
English government cares much
about the dispute between Arab
and Tewfik, but neither nation is
willing that the other should be-
come all-powertul in Egypt, and
hence the real purpose of the French
and English admirals is to prevent
one another from doing anything.
Then there is the Sultan of Turke
He is fitted out fleet and intends
to send it to Egypt to preserve or
der. This is an admirable way of
dissatisfying everybody. Neither
Tewfik nor Arab wants to recognize
the Turks as the rulers of Egypt,
and neither France nor England is
willing to have Turkey possess more
than a nominal sovereignty over
that country. Of course the Sultan
will not be permitted to land troops
at Alexandria without meeting with
resistance from somebody, and in all
probability he will not find single
friend in Egypt.
AS if there was not already suf-
ficent confusion in Egyptian affairs,
Italy is getting a fleet ready in or
der to protect Italian interests in
Egypt. 1t is regarded as certain
that If the French and English at
tempt to interfere with Arab and
Tewfik, the Germans and Austrians
will insist on taking part in the
game. Then there is the ex-Khedive
Ismail, who is now compelled to
spend most of his time at sea with
his harem in order to prevent his
wives from eloping, and who is pre-
pared to do anything in order to get
back to his old place; and, finally,
there is false prophet in the Sou
dan who is doing lively business
and who intends to conquer Egypt
for his own benefit.
The Schleswig- Holstein affair was
clear as daylight in comparison
with the Egyptian muddle. No
man can attempt to comprehend the
whole situation in Egypt, or to fore
tell how it is to end without endan-
gering his insanity. Are Arab and
Tewfik and Ismail and the Soudan
prophet and the sultan and France
and England and Italy and Ger
many and Austria all to fight one
another under the shadow of the
pyramids, to the unspeakable aston
ishment Of the famous forty centu-
ries?