New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-23
unsatisfactory to farmers that they would put
large quantities in store.
EGYPT as SEEN BY IN AMERICAN MIS-
SION4RY

In an address on Sunday evening. In the Presby
terrain Church at EnglewOod, the Rev. Mr.. Jessup
gave most interesting view Of the causes and
merits of the war in Egypt. AS Mr.. Jessup has
been twenty-seven years a missionary at Beyrout.
has just returned to this country, and was at
Alexandria after the massacre many of his state
ments of especial Importance and will help to
a correct understanding of passing events.
Mr.. Jessup spoke strongly of the vast improvement
which had been effected in the condition of Egypt
by the present Khedive. and especially Of tho in
calculabe benefits conferred by the International
Tribunal and the Anglo-French Control. These
changes. though begun under tho previous
Khedive, were rendered comparatively ineifectlv
by his persistent refusal to surrender the enormous
revenues extorted by him from the people through
his possession of the lands, Of the means of trans
portation and irrigation, and his operations
a merchant. All these revenues and powers the
present Khedive at once surrendered upon coming 20
the VIcerOyship and 1t was the universal testimony
OF Christians and Syrians in the East that Egypt
had never before been so we'll governed. so progress
svc, peaceful and prosperous. during the last
three years A fixed tax for every person was sub
stituted for the old modes of unlimited extortiOn,
strict justice was done in the International Tribu-
nal in ali cases in which any other person than an
Egyptian was party. so that natives would often
sell their claims a foreigner in order TO get them
tried in that court; over 1000 Government schools
were established throughout tho country and full
protection and much assistance were rendered to
missionary work.
1t did not suit the Sultan that Egypt should be-
come thus prosperous, and able to pay a large rev
enue, without yielding any advantage to himself,
Nor did 1t suit the fanatical MahOmetans that the
control of the country should pass 50 largely into
Christian hands. One of the most fanatcal of the
Mahometan officers, Arab Pacha, was instigated
by the Sultan from the beginning to SOW
disahecton and create revolt in Egypt.
Mr.. Jessup maintains that this was well-knOwn
throughout Syria, and has been fully estab-
lished by documents captured on a messenger from
the Pan-Isamic League at Constantinople to Arab.
Mr.. Jessup quotes gentleman personally known to
him, who heard Arab at a public service in
mosque at Cairo, lifting both hands high, cry out
Allah grant that may see the streets run with
the blood of Christians Nor the outbreak
unexpected. Months before it occurred great
alarm had spread through all the villages far up the
Nile, Christians and Europeans becoming convinced
that their lives were in peril from Mahometan
fanatics, and great numbers of them fled from the
country. Mr. Jessup himself saw the flight of
Christians from all parts of tine country after the
first outbreak, many thousands going back to
Syria, and thousands more to various parts OF Eu-
rope leaving all their property, their business their
means of livelihood glad to escape with their lives
In short, an utter abandonment of Egypt to the
worst and fercest MahOmetan barbarism was the
only alternative when Great Brita interfered.
Ii is the belief of Mr. Jessup that Great Britain
was not only justified but deserves the gratitude Of
the Christian world for its Interference. Whatever
errors of judgment there were in time manner Of
action he holds that order protection, civilization,
and free channel for the worlds commerce could
have been secured in Egypt only by British nterpo-
sit.on to put down the nominal rebel who was
secretly instigated by the Sultan. That ire
mendous struggle between Mahomctanism and
the Christian world would have resulted, had not
the Mahometaus been promptly divided by
British action, and may yet result in the end, but
with enormous advantages to civilization and
Christianity from British control in the pathway
between ASIA aud Africa, is the conclusion to which
the review of facts clearly points. Arab has not
the power to proclaim the Holy War, for the
Manometans know that he is powerless to begin
the conquest of the world, but he may join himself
with the pretended Prophet who Is approaching
with host from SOudan the Shereef Of Mecca
may yet think the opportunity good one to assert
his claims TO the Caliphate There ia at least
poss blity, too that the Sultan himself as the only
means of preserving ascendancy among the
Mahometlns, may openly resist rs he has secretly
tried to thwart, the efforts of Great Britain.
But the Queen numbers among her subj cts today
more Mahometans than any Mahometan ruler, and
they thus far are faithful.
L. j. not 40 on ~ IN These DAVIS Of humanity and