The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-07-21
What IL Is All About.

From 639 to 1917 Egypt was ruled by the in
dependent Moslem Princes. From 1917 to 1911
the country was under the absolute control OF
Turkey. After the French and English COM
plications Of the First Napoleons time, Me-
hemet Ali was appointed Governor The Beys
rebelled against him, but after a series Of wars
he became virtual master of the country. After
long conflict with Turkey he secured the rec
ognition of his dynasty from the Sultan, the
five great powers OF Europe guaranteeing the
succession and the fulflment Of conditions on
the part of Turkey.
In this way Egypt came into European poll
tics as the ward of tho nations, the powers all
having an interest in the conduct Of her affairs.
In 1866 the Sultan gave the ruler OF Egypt the
title of King or khedive and in 1873 granted
to the Khedive Qsmail l. } the right to conclude
treaties with foreign powers and TO maintain
armies.
This made the Khedive virtually independent,
and he proceeded TO inaugurate grand sys-
TEN Of public improvements. His not we'll
directed enthusiasm ended in the distress of
his people and the bankruptcy of the country,
and in 1879 alter there had been years of
reckless expenditure and loose management
England and France interfered unSer a clause
of the guarantee of lS41 compelled Ismail l. to
abdicate, put Mohammed Tewfk. the present
istration Of affairs under the supervision Of
two Controllers General representing the two
European Governments. In 1880 the Khedive
appointed an international Commission of
Liquidation to examine the financial situation
Of Egypt and frame law regulating the rela-
tons between Egypt and her creditors.
Both OF these steps were taken with the con-
sent Of all the guaranteeing powers. and for a
time il seemed that the Controllers General
would carry out without difficulty many needed
reforms. A great deal was accomplished, but
the European methods, while they admittedly
made the condition of the people better, ex-
cited the prejudice OF the Arabs, or Moham-
medaus, and this dissatisfaction was encour-
aged by Turkish emissa-ies.
Among the younger men OF the Mohamme-
dan party was Arab Bey, who, after an adven-
turous career in the army, became Minister OF
War. He was from the first dissatisfied with
European management in Egypt, and through
his influence there was established the Cham
Der of Notables. This is composed of seventy
five chiefs or leaders chosen from among the
Weather natives, and its establishment was
proclaimed as the first step toward constitu-
tional government, the claimants ignoring the
fact that the Board Of Control bad given the
country the first semblance of constitutional
government it had experienced.
The Chamber OF Notables, selected by the
army, or under the influence OF the army, be-
soon came in conflict with the Khedive and the
Controllers General. This conflict ripencd into
open rebellion on the part Of Arabs followers
and the Khediye was held for q time virtually a
prisoner.
England and France primarily, and Germany,
Austria and Russia in an incidental way, were
under obligations to stand by the Khedive and
the Controllers General, and very early in the
agitation England made the demand that Arab
Bey be retired and the statu quo re-established.
The khedive was poweress, and could not
comply with the demand. Turkey put forward
her claim to intervene in such cases under old
treaties, and negotiations were opened making
the matter Of settlement European question.
In the meantime Arab Bey was encouraged in
his attitude Of hostility by agents representing
the jealouses OF the several nations and the bear
interest in bonds, and for weeks the question
was given an artificial color through the manip-
ulation Of spectators.
England, having made the demand that the
Khedive and the Controllers General should
be re-establshed in full authority, prepared
quietly to stand by ii, aud, after a conference
at Constantinople, the representatives OF the
powers decided that, under certain con-
tngencies, England should take the in
itiative in armed intervention Arab Bey
was ordered TO suspend work on the Alex andria
Notifications, this work, with tho fleets Of Eu-
rope in the harbor, being an act OF hostility.
He did not comply, and at the expiration OF
twenty-four hours notice the feet opened fire
on the forts with the results noted in the dis
patches.
In this action England represents Europe. and
there Is no chance for Misunderstanding on this
point But on the question OF how far she