The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1882-08-22
A Great War Imminent.

The Eastern question, in lts.preseht
attitude, is assuming worldwide
interest. The situation Is becoming
more and more complicated every
day, and il is now apparent that the
intervention of England, which was
at first proclaimed to be simply in
the interest ofhumanity, was prompt
cd by the most selfish ends.
Our readers are aware that for say
ersl years past England has attempted
to dictate the course of affairs in
Egypt. The reasons for this assump.
ton of authority, 1t Is alleged. is based
on the fact that English SPECTATORS
had loaned a large sum of money to
the Egyptian government. The debt
thus contracted, from the British
point of view, not only gave that
government the right to fxthe rate
of taxation in Egypt and control the
collection of the revenues, but to take
u liberal part III the management OF
Egyptian affairs generally. Such III
reference very naturally led to indig-
nation and resistance on the part of
the Egyptians. The Minister OF War,
Arab Bey, formed q National party
which raised the cry OF EGYPT for
the Egy ptians, "and' took up the stand
ard OF revolt against the Khedive who
owes his Autborityio, aud lie wholly
under the control of, the foreign
bondholders. The conflict thus
brought about between the Khedive
and tile Minister Of War led to riots
between their respective factions.
Arabs party cried Down with for
eigners," aud that element suffered
principally from the riots. England,
seeing her opportunity to accomplish
u long sought end, senta squadron OF
her Navy to Alexandria for the pre-.
tended purpose Of restoring order.
Gladstone made bold to declare that
this was the sole purpose of Admir-
al Seymour's mission to Alexandria.
When thai functionary arrived, how.
ever, he issued a proclamation declsr.
ing that unless work was discontin-
ued on the defences of Alexan.
anddria he would shell the city within
i twenty four hours. lie was prompt,
| informed that no work was Ia pro.
gress on the forts and entertainments
yet, four hours before the lapse O.
the time fixed III bis proclamation, hs
opened his guns OH The works, anf
without shadow of cause, de
, stroy ed the greater part Of the city
The Egyptian army fled from the cit,
aud left the English in possession
: There were no further outbreaks, and
Z consequently, there could be no fur
: Their excuse. for English occupation
5 and invasion, still the English AID
niral continued in control and Eng
fish troops were landing in increas
: ing numbers every day. Thes
r troops,the British Government dcclar
0 ed, were sent to Egypt simply to per
r form police duty-to maintain order
They continued TO arrive, day afle
day, until 10000 English soldier
/ weie concentrated OH the Egyptia
= coast. Of course it was apparei
70 that no such army was necessary
p suppress local riots in Alexandra
but the object of England was mad
even more apparent by her deman
: that the Sultan Of Turkey should d
clare Arab Bey rebel. She wal
: ted, if possible, to bring about col
= flict between Turkey and Egyr
{ thereby greatly weakening the lstt,
10 government, whose territory 81
"a designs gobbing up. She not on
he demanded that Arab be declared
of rebel, but that she be given the CO
troll of all Turkish troops sent
Egypt. This the Porte at first d
es clincd TO do, but being informed tn
70 England would regard such action
te the part Of Turkey as declaration
" war, finally consented to decla
Arab rebel. The Porte, howev,
still refuses to permit English {
n ticers to take command OF such Tur
ny ish troops as may be sent TO Egypt.
ls- England, in the mean time, is Q
ID ing ahead with her preparations
war, and her settled determination
no longer matter of conjecture.
~ lis mot the Edglish bondholders who
rights she is seeking to protect, b
~ her own interests In Egypt. S
W wants to conquer and acquire I
territory of Egypt, to the end tn
she may the better maintain her po
=! er In India aud her control of /
. Suez canal. This is her real desi
- despite her oft repeated declarati
II Il.
~ that she only wishes TO restore orc
in Egypt. y
CHI This being Englaud's purpose, it
an well to consider what will likely
Die theresult of her action. 1t is lui
iii apparent to any thinking, well il
formed mind that Turkey will I
permit England OF any Other. Chr
ale tain nation to take peaceable poss
lry sion of Egypt. Blood is thicker til
ma water, aud the Mohammedan fa
ks forms still stronger tie. The N
hammedans of Egypt haye alrea
raised the standard of the church, a
re- its adherents in Turkey and India "
nal rally as one man to the support
in Arab. Tho Mohammedans deli,
'sy 10 die for their religious belief, a
Tier nothing so thoroughly arouses o