New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-21
TIE Anglo FRENCH AGREEMENL


The agreement between France and Great
Britain in relation to the Egyptian Conference
has been sent to the Powers The Gladstone Min
istry withholds an official statement, nominally
on the ground that the Powers have not replied to
Lord Granville's final proposals. These replies
will undoubtedly be favorable, and the Confer
ence will receive the sanction OF Europe. III Is
the preliminary agreement with France which
will excite hostility and criticism in England,
and the Ministry apparently breads the effect OF
its publication. Mr.. Gladstone is reported to
have admitted in private conversation that he
will be out of Office in few weeks
The electoral agents on the Liberal side have
evidently obtained the cue from the Cabinet,
for they are hard at work throughout the coun-
try selecting candidates and preparing for
general election. If the version of the agree
ment published by The Pail Mall Gazette be
even a remote approach to the truth, the appre-
tensions of the Ministers are well founded
The Commons cannot be depended upon to
sanction the scheme of q multiple control and
a British loan to the Egyptian Government. II
the French version of the secret understand
ing be more accurate, English public feeling
will condemn it with stern emphasis. The
stipulation that the British garrison shall
remain in Egypt after the LIST of
January, 1888, only with the consent of one
other Great Power, will be CALLING to English
pride That Power must be France, and an
English occupation dependent upon the acqui-
escence of the Cabinet of Paris would imply an
abandonment of all the practicalresultso of Lord
Wolseley's campaign.
The apologists on the Liberal side are
appealing now to English timidity and dread
of war. They assume that a hostile vote
of Parliament will be fatal blow to
the Conference, will dissolve the European
concert, and will convert friendly understand
ing with France into feeling of hostility.
They assert that the downfall of the Minis
try will postpone indefinitely the settlement
Of the Egyptian question and precipitate
European war. Such reasoning as this Is too
fallacious to influence public opinion in Eng
land. Any scheme of settlement by which
France is readmitted, even as silent partner,
into any share of responsibility for Egypt will
promote jealousy, intrigue and discOrd at Cairo,
and involve imminent risks Of European war.
1t will be an unsettling compromise, that will
throw Egyptian affairs into inextricable con-
fusion. Rather than enter into an entangling
prefer to abandon the Conference and to leave
the European concert to shift for itself.
The downfall of the present Liberal
Ministry would be grave misfortune
so far as domestic legislation was concerned,
but it would be the best thing that could hap
pen for Egypt. II would be followed by
stronger government at Cairo. The facts and
necessities of the situation would be accepted
and English methods of administration would
be introduced. The present experiment of
governing the country under the hypothesis
that Egyptians are or ever can be Europeans
has proved a disastrous failure. 1t has inn
poverished the Lower Nile it has involved
series of revolts and massacres in the Soudau.
If the English had no intention of governing
the country and ameliOrating the condition of
the people by wise administration, they ought
never to have fought at Tel-el-Kebir.