New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-30
Is IT 1 RELIGLOUS W4Rl


vited the bombardment of Alexandra, 1t was
generally believed that he must be conscious
of strong backing in some quarter. Inc con-
lecture may have been correct in the man, ana
vet wide astray as to the nature of the lnilu-
ence upon which he relied. Documents are
now said to have been captured on a steamer
plying between ConstantinOple and Alexan-
dria, which, though partly in cipher not yet
translated, show that Arab was acting III con-
cert with powerful faction. According 10 the
report, this clique or conspiracy had for Its ann
the re vival of Mahometansm, and the union
of all Islam against the Christian Powers. This
report. too harmonizes entirely with the letter
of warning from Arab to Mr.. Gladstone, which
has been published in England, and which, 1t Is
said. was not received until after the lombard
ment In it, the Egyptian declares that the
first shot against the defences of Alexandria
will be the signal for an uprising OF the faith
full, and the preaching of holy war against
Christian domination in Africa and Asia 1t
probably seemed 10 Arab the Unblest that this
declaration would be regarded in England as
the empty vaporing of desperate fanatic, and
that its publication in the East after the
struggle had begun would nevertheless tend to
the tuflment Of its prediction.
All Christian nations must regard the struggle
with deep interest, if it is indeed to be conflict
between the Christian and the Moslem. For 1t
may lead, in that case, to consequences when
1t is now hardly possible to anticipate even III
conjecture British power in India, and
French in Tunis and Algiers, might then de-
pend upon the measure of success gained by
either of the parties in some of the earlier col
lisons. Or, on the other hand, the very exist
ence of the Turkish Empire might at last be
terminated as aconscquence of brawl in the
streets of Alexandria Union of European ma
tons against the adherents of the MOslem faith
is not to be anticipated as a possibility. But
Great Britain would contend at incaCuable
disadvantage if war for the Moslem faith
could be preached with effect in India, and it
is possible that Che ablest Englishmen do not
regard that result as entirely out OF the ques-
ton. In the end, so far as human eye can see
if is inevitable that the wealth and power and
science of the Christian nations would prevail.
But the horrible consequences TOR time might
be disheartening enough to try the faith OF the
most hopeful.
In Egypt, for example missions upon which
much labor and means have been expended,
and which gave promise of great results have
now been extinguished in blood and fire. 1t
will be long time, apparently, before the
country will again be in such IA condition that
Christian churches and schools can be estab-
lished with prospects of success or even with
safety. The material welfare of the people,
which must ever be the foundation of Chris
tian civilization, was viSibly and greatly i'm
proving under the European control, in spite of
the many faults and wrongs thereby tolerated.
But it seems to have been set back by the Teyo-
luton, no one can guess how many years. To
all appearance it will be long before Egypt can
recover the moderate degree of industrial pros
perity and civil security which it had attained,
and yet men of faith will look beyond the dark
cloud to the clear sun shining beyond. 1t may
be that the very events which at first seem so
disheartening will prepare the way for vast
change in the religious, social and civil life of
two hundred millions of people.