St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-08-07
TIE Egyptian QUESTION.

The Egyptian question is getting TO be
good deal of bore in this country, principally
for the reason that few understand its mani
fold complications, and for the further
reason that Egypt is so remote, and its civil
cation so bizarre that it affords no points
with which we can sympathize. But to the
few who see beneath the surface, and who
include within their vision the probabilities
of the future, the Egyptian matter is one Of
much interest. There is involved in the
problem as it now is presented considerably
more than the subjugation of the rebellious
Soudanese. or the relief of Gordon. There
is additionally included the existence of the
slave trade in upper Egypt; the serfdom or
freedom of the Egyptians proper; and the
permanency of the present pacific status Of
western Europe.
It is to be noticed that Immediately after
the adjournment OF the conference on Mon
day, Mr. Gladstone gave notice tkat he
would ask for credit of a million and
half dollars for the expenses ofsa force to be
sent to the relief of Gordon. This comes di
rectlv on the heels of the announcement by
Stanley that Gordon is in no danger, and is
in a position to escape at any time. AS
Stanley may be credited with knowing what
he is talking about, it would seem as if the
real purpose Of Mr.. Gladstone had reference
to some other object than the rescue of
man, who, according to competent authority
is in position to rescue himself. 1t is therefore
quite possible that Gladstone may propose to
send a force into Egypt sufficient not only
to rescue Gordon, but to hold the country
against hostile efforts from other directions
The news of the failure Of the conference has
been received in Paris with much i'll feeling;
and the Figaro does not eXaggeFate French
spntin ent when it asserts that French and
English interests are now completely opposed,
and a conflict is inevitable in the near future.
II sneeringly hopes that a latent conflict will
not pass into open hostilities. Mr. Gladstone
may not be too suspicious if, in view of the
hostility engendered by the failure Of the
conference, he should, under some pretence,
send a column Of troops to u point where
they are most needed.
Should war between France and England
grow out Of this Egyptian controversy, this
country will not be disposed to wish either
party complete success. The quarrel is
one between two powers each of which is
an xious to steal Egypt; it is, in reality, a
dhIculty over the division of spoils. Eng
land has been induced to commit the violence
necessary to secure the plumber, and now
France is asked to take a small portion OF
the plum der, and to assist in guarding the
victim till the work Of robbery is fully con-
summated.
The purposes of the war had nothing in
them to commend them to the sympathy OF
good men anywhere, and the manner i'll
which it was conducted by the English alien
atcd from them the respect of civilized PEG
pie Not single prisoner was taken in the
Soudan, fact which would permit a horrible
infereuce; but this inference becomes a GER
tainty when one reads in the accounts of the
fighting sent on by officers, Of the deliberate
killing of the wounded Arabs Nothing
more actrocious has occurred since the mas
sacre of the McXicans by that gigantic rob
Der and assassin, Cortez In view of this,
the outbreak of a war between England and
France would be regarded as an opportunity
during which the shades of the massacred
Arabs might be avenged.