Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-07-20

much 70 protect certain financial inter
ests ard the Suez canal as to annex
their Egyptian country, together with
the Moslem idea that Cnistian innOva-
tons must be combated, doubtless led
the Egyptians to commit the terrible
onslaught upon the foreigners in Alex
andria, and to the present warlike as
pect of affairs near the key to the Suez
canal. The Sultan's firm refusal to
consent to European conference to
regulate the internal affairs OF his en-
pire tends to show the feeling which is
now likely to eliminate in armed con-
i1ict.
That England and France are the
only powers interested in this east ern
difficulty is far from being a thorough
idea of The situation. Italy has all
along strenuously resented the en-
croa chments of France on the Medit--
erranean, and as carefully watched the
efforts of France to gain possession OF
Egypt and found an empire in north
ern Africa, which would rival the In
dian possessions of England. To
prevent the Intervention of France and
England in Egypt, Italy is allied with
Germany, Austria and Russia. The
sym pathizers with the Egyptians in
their struggle for independence believe
that they have right to their OVID
land. The Italian colony in Egypt is
the largest and most important, and
her commercial interests in that coun-
try are equal to those of France. That
she will protect these interests seems
beyond question, and that she is in a
measure we'll prepared to do
this, with the support Of Germany,
Russia and Austria ID also be-
lieved. New ironclads, the largest il.
the world, are being constructed for
her, and her parliament recently voted
100000, distributed through several
years, for the increase and better
equipment of her army. Thus, it will
be seen, the present movements before
Alexandria are more portentious than
appearances would indicate. 1t in
wolves more than the mere assertion of
assumed rights or claims by England
and France. 1t involves more gen
eral engagement of the European pow
ers. The determination of Italy, Rus
STA, Germany and Austria, that Egypt
shall belong to no one nation becomes
daily more decided, and even the pre-.
tended authority of England over the
Suez canal will be disputed.
ARABI PASHA.
The Egyptian leader stands at the
head of the national party, and is anx-
ious to shake off foreign dominion.
His spirit was manifest when he re-
Gently declared in an assembly of his
supporters that he would initiate Ma
poleon, create an empire. and re-estab-
fish United Arabia. He finds en-
couragement in the unwillipgness of
the porte to undertake armed inter-
vention, and in the divided counsels of
the powers He is in confidential
communication with the sultan, who
was in confidential communication
with Bismarck, and is other
wise indirectly supported. The
state of affairs existing when
he appeared upon the scene was
greatly lamented. Wnen the peasant
of the Nile lands could no longer sell
his crops for enough to pay the inter-
est of the khedives debts and the ex-
penses of his prohigate government,
Ismael was deposed and exiled with
his haram, and Tewfk was installed
under
A PRoTECToRArE ARRANGEMENT,
which made England and France
Egypt's assignees in bankruptcy. For
eigh influence being yet paramount,
and foreign tax-eaters still swarming
over the land, the peasant still yielded
his crops and starved while they went
to pamper foreign officials and credi-
tors. Arab Bey being at the
head of the army, defeated the
budget and ranked Tewfk. Then
popular outbreaks drove out the for
eigners, and England with her power
defied, her Suez canal threatened, and
her capitalists pleading for the protec-
ton of their agents, found her action
in the premise seriously handicapped
by the unexpected complications.
Arab Bey we'll understands that Ger
many Is not in sympathy with England's
idea, and that France is growing luke
warm towards her British ally. He
locks upon himself as the future deliv-
erer of Egypt, and in that spirit has
prepared to meet the English, perhaps
over-sanguine of an early realization of
his ambition.