Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-25
THE SULTAN'S DUPLICITY

ReDe1 CntcI.
IConstantinople Cor. New York Sun.
There is no sort of vile abuse that the
Turkish press does not now pour down
upon the head of Arab Pasha. Even
La Turquie is beside itself. A few days
ago it closed An article in the following
words: ''He must be killed. Never was
there seen such complete unbridling of
passion against the conquered. And what
seems particularly odious in this kick OF
the donkey is the comparison between the
language used eight days ago in the same
place and in the same journals, and the
present gross denunciations, all conclud-
ing with calls for blood.
Eight days ago Arab was great patriot
He held in check the British power, and all
Islam was proud of him. What has occur
red in the interval to make the Palace or
der the press to use this language, which
by its exaggeration surpasses all bounds
and makes the Turks shrug their shoulders
I need hardly remind you that the Turk
ish press is not free. 1t is sim ply the sub
missive and paid agent of the government
ing? There is something else quite differ.
ent. Unfortunately we Americans, one OF
whose principles is to keep clear of all
meddling in the affairs of others, have
meddled in this matter, and not for any
good motive.
The fact is that Arab was simply the in
strument and the accomplice of the sultan
in all this Egyptian business. And it must
be said in candor that the success of the
British depended solely upon the decision
of the sultan, whose poltroonery, equaled
only by his avarice, crushed the Egyptian
cause at the last moment.
Ali Miami Pasha and Dervish Pasha
himself, the soi-distant commissioners of
the empire, charged with the duty of en-
deavoring to bring Arab to submission,
were only the Intermediates of the sultan
with Arab, to whom they transmitted yer :
bally the orders of the master. Arabi's
work was consolidated in the eyes of
the different Mohammedan 20. uiations
first by the entente cordiale between him
and the ENJOYS of the sultan, secondly by
his rapid advancement to the highest mill
tary functions of the state, and thirdly by
his promotion to the rank of grand officer
of the Medjidie, the insignia of which was
presented to him by Dervish Pasha in the
presence of the Egyptian populace, in Or
der to thoroughly establish the fact that
their military chief was in communion of
purpose with the caliph. Then followed
Immediately the disafection toward the
khedive, who is detested by the sultan,
while the adhesions of high personages be-
gan to rain around Arab. The khedive
was abandoned. In fact, with the excep-
ton of a few pashas and Circassians who
had been exiled. everybody in Egypt was
in the national movement, and success ap-
peared certain, In the palace of the sui
tan there was no doubt of it. Islam was
about to rise again from its ashes. Living
for years at Constantinople, in the midst
of these people. have day by day watched
this affair, and not single detail of it has
escaped me.
Things were in this situation when
France and England, aware perhaps of the
disposition of the palace and the part
played by Abdul Hamid- although they
are generally badly informed-put their
fingers in the pie by sending their iron
cIads. Then came the bombardment and
the burning of Alexandria, followed by the
landing of English troops, which allowed
of no other solution of the difficulty than
that of the cannon. The palace was pre-
pared for it, and intended to send a Tur-
kish corps, which gradually would have
passed over to the Egyptians. This, more
over was no secret. Officers and soldiers
we're perfectly well acquainted
with the situation, and the most
ignorant Nizam could tell us
more about Egyptian affairs than any
journal was able to do. There was no con-
cealment either of opinions or projects;
and any one who knows the Turkish troops
around the palace could not be deceived
in this matter. It remained to enforce
Arab morally in order to gain time to
bring matters to favorable conclusion.
But how was this to be done? To send an
envoy officially? Impossible. A secret
agent would have produced no effect.
Just at this point providence appeared
and came to the aid of Abdul Hamid,
holding an American journalist by the
hand. Mr.. James Gordon Bennett arrived
in the harbor of Constantinople in his
yacht. Wallace presented him to the SUI
tan, who invited him to dine with him
Under his napkin Bennett found his insig-
MIA of the order of the Osmanl.
At the dessert Abdul Hamid unbosomed
himself. "You can render me very great
SERVICE" said he to Mr.. Bennett, who
greatly surprised, Immediately replied
Speak, your majesty; shall be delighted
What can I do?''
$50 find Arab and bring him tome"
SIS that all? There is nothing more
simple. Count upon me. In five day!
Arab and will be here;" and as he wa.
about to leave, Abdul Hamid said to him
''One moment; wish to aid you in thi
matter. think that a word from me t.
Arab will not be without its influence
Here it is, and I rely upon your honor tx
give it into his own hands,"
Mr.. Bennett at once departed. H
carried with him the reverse of what h,
believed he was talking. What the sultai
wrote was designed precisely to confirm
Arab in his resistance.
Now. the question is. did the English ob
tain knowledge of the existence of thi
letter and its contents? Certain it is tina
the very next day Lord Dufferin insisted
upon the sultan's proclaiming Arab
rebel before sending Turkish troops tt
Egypt. Naturally the sultan refused
How could he compromise himself to sucl
aaegree in the eyes of all Islam? Every
body in Turkey knew of the understand
ing between Arab and the sultan.