New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-10
the preparation of records has still worse
SOLUTION OF THE NILE PROBLEM


SOLUTION or THE NILE PROBLEM
Piouancv is added to the SOudan compllca-
tions bv French offers of active cooperation
Lord Granville is vaguely reported 10 nave IT,
c,iyed from NJ. Washington proposals Ior
scheme of Joint military operations the ul'iina'c
settlement of the questions at issue being re
ferred to a European conference IL II h"l"iS
credible that France should volunteer fora des-
perate enterprise in the SOuda after declining
70 act with England in suppressing the military
revolt in Lower Egypt. The campaign against
Arab and his cowardly fellaheen promised to
be little more than a military promenade,
whereas a march from Suakim to the rehe1 OF
KhartOum would be fraught with difficulty ana
peril. The climate would prove deadly TO Eu-
ropean troops, even to regiments which had had
active service in Algeria and Tunisia; and an
advancing army would have an unequal strng-
gle even with the forces of nature. 10
these would be added the hostility of
warlke tribes of Arabs and the Berber
cavalry. In view of the unfinished campaign
in TOnquin and the financial embaTassments OF
the Republic, French Intervention in the Sou
dan is grossly improbable. The rumOr that ma
rires from the French fleet are TO be immedi-
ately landed at Suabim is clearly prepOsterous.
French intrigue at Cairo precpitated the
downfall of Cherifs Ministry. His intimate re-
lations with NJ. Balrere were of greater moment
in determining the aggressive action of the
English Cabinet than his ostentatiOus display
of Nationalist tendencies. There is one thing
which will not be tolerated in England-a revi-
val of the dual policy at Cairo. Even the Glad
stone Ministry, notwithstanding theirreluctance
to accept the inevitable consequences OF inc
conquest of Egypt, would be Influenced by the
faintest suspicion of a resumption OF french
intrigue. If NJ. Washington were to demand
on behalf of his Government share In the
pacifcation of the SOudan, Lord Granville
would lose no time in asserting the
exclusive right of England to shape
the destiny of all the Milo countries
as far as KhartOum, and even be-
yond it. The responsibilities of adj
ministration in Lower Egypt have been shirked
since the battle of Tel-cl-Kebir. The Liberal
Ministry have made laborous effort to redeem
their pledges to Europe and have studiously
avoided increasing the actual burdens OF I'm
perial Government. They have been unwilling
to make an end Of the Cairo puppet play But
2 single diplomatic overture from Paris in the
direction OF JOlhU illHtdIy ''ulOH "O''iN DiA4i5
them at once to their senses.
Events, however, are moving so rapidly in
England that the adoption of a vigorous policy
in the Soudan cannot be long deferred Our
special cable dispatches this morning give an
admirable summary OF the stirring events OF
the week and of the present state of public
feeling. Unless General Gordon perish or be
captured on his lonely journey TO Khartoum,
the Ministry will probably survive The debate
on the vote OF censure proposed by the Conser-
vative leaders. But there has been
a great uprising of English opinion
against the policy Of the Government
its vacillation, its lack of courage. and its I'M
willingness to deal with facts "a they are. The
disasters in the Soudan and the perils of Cen
eral Gordon's mission are directly attributable
to the hesitation of the Ministry to assume the
responsibility for the government Of Lower
Egypt. Public feeling is declaring itself UNI
mistakably on this question. The shadow play
at Cairo-the Khedive puppet managed by the
British Resident, and the grinning circle of
Egyptian Pachas in the Ministry, each manipu-
lated by his English secretary-must cease.
The reality of an efficient and responsible ad-
lniuistratiOn must begin.