The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1882-07-08
The Cloud in the East.

The Cloud in the East.
The Constantinople conference on the
Egyptian question has resulted practically
in the determination of the Continental
Powers, including France, to let England
look after her interests in the land of the
Pharoahs alone and unaided, and the active
war preparations which are reported to be in
progress in all the British navy-yards and
military depots would seem to indicate that
England is perfectly willing to assume the
responsibility. Her interests" are of course
confined mainly to the Suez Canal, which, as
the commercial highway to her Indian pos
sessions, she is bound to keep open at all
hazards, and that Arab Pacha is fully aware
of the fact is shown by the arrangements
which he has made to block that great
thOrOughfaTe. Adyices from Alexandria
state that he has sent large quantities of
explosives to the line of the canal, as well
as boats laden with stone, which he proposes
to sink in the channel, and the chances are
that the protection of the Suez Canal will
prove a more formidable undertaking than
was at enc time anticipated. Iii peculiarly
unfortunate for the Gladstone Ministry that
this crisis in its Egyptian relations should
be precipitated at time when the troubles
in Ireland seem to be increasing rather than
diminishing and the "Grand Old Man." as
the British Premier has come to be loosely
called by the Conservatives, is likely to have
need of all the support he can muster to
overcome the obstacles that confront him.
The naming" and suspension of all the
leading members Of the Irish party in the
House of Commons for their alleged Obstruc-
ton of the passage of the Repression
act, whether justified or not, must tend to
still further embitter the people of Ire
land against British rule, and it would not
be surprising if fresh crop of "outrages"
should be the fruit of the seeds of dissensiOn
sown in parliamentary debate. Surprising
/
Egypt to result shortly in an open rupture
and British army of invasion or occupa-
ton to be landed on Egyptian soil, who can
forsee the use to which Ireland might not
put the opportunity which foreign cOmpli-
cations might afford her of extorting new
concessions from the parent government?
1t might well be that British interference in
Egypt would bring about serious European
complications and involve the Gladstone
government in war of serious proportions.
In that event it might be compelled to pur-
chase peace at home at any cost, and
sagacious leader like Parnell would be pretty
sure to make the most of its helpleSsness.
| When one reflects what seemingly trivial
events have suf1iced to change the destiny
of nations it is impossible not to feel that
the present Egyptian crisis, otherwise so
devoid of interet for people on this side of
the water, may prove of immense conse-
quence; and while at the moment Americans
lndy lOI CtIc q snap VI IuCAA hh5OiS "AO1A~A
the reigning Khedive or the usurper, Arab,
controls the policy of Egypt, the ultimate
result of the struggle may prove OF the
utmost Importance to them; for a general
European war, if it possesses no other
interest for us, must at least enhance the
value of our breadstuffs and create market
for our surplus products. In these days OF
ocean telegraphy and steamship navigation
II NAV truthfulIy be said that there is no
nation which is not liable to be affected by
the good or bad fortunes of its neighbors,
whether near or remote; and while politi-
of the Continental Powers, industrially and
commercially their attitude must always
have deep practical significance for us. 1t
was the Russo Turkish war that opened the
markets of the world to our grain and pro-
visions, and it does not admit of doubt that
were England embroiled in q serious foreign
conflict the prostration of her industries
and the exhaustion of her resources would
inure to the benefit of our own. ms
world of ours is but small expanse OF lana
and water, after all, and although 1t may seem
of little consequence to the casual reader
whether the Irish members are suspended
in the House of Commons or not, or wnlch
one of the Turkish Pachas is at the head OF
Egyptian affairs, the final issue may AFFECT
our own interests in many practical ways
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