The Wilmingtonian., 1885-07-11
ENGLAND's NEW POLICY.


The new policy of the administration that
has succeeded Mr.. Gladstone's in the con-
troll of affairs in the East is return to the
policy of thirty years ago. As England
stands just now it is the best that can be
suggested in her interests at least.
| What mainly defines it as an exhumation
ofthe administration theories of that past
date, is the declaration that Egypt must
pay tribute to the Sultan of Turkey, and
that his suzeranity is to be proclaimed over
Upper and Lower Egypt from Khartoum to
Alexandria. Turkish troops offcered by
English soldiers are to occupy the Soudan.
A redeemiug point in the new arrangement
is, that the slave trade is to be suppressed,
which is quite possible under these condi,
tions
Taking all things into consideration per-
haps this is for the best. England, it has
been plainly demonstrated, though willing
to undertake that task, and though strongly
supported by the moral aid of Bismarck,
was unable to hold an apparently rational
position in Egypt on account Of the imped-
iments placed in her way by the jealousy of
France. Hampered and msconstrued in all
attempts at paciiying that country, ller most
honest efforts to give the natives at least
some appearance of freedom, constitutional
government, and protection to life and prop
erty, both from official peculation ami the
devastation and rapine of rowing bands of
irresponsible Arab hordes, were purposely
misrepresented by French agents and every
obstruction thrown in the way ola govern
ment administered by the Khedive.
England started out with the above idea
and honestly attempted, under Gladstone,
its accomplishment. Through the jealousy
of other European powers led by France the
attempt has sgnally failed. Wolesley's
lack of success in the field may be directly
ascribed to a lack of fsupport by the Home
Government whose policy was changed, to
use Abraham Lincoln's simile "while cross
ing the stream" Mr.. Gladstone being in
cited to act in that inconsistent manner
through the influence brought to bear upon
him by European intrigue.
No other European nation, outside of
France, is constituted, by the peculiar tan
! gle of interests involved, to take the task in
hand, and her government, in the most in
continent way refused to assist England in
9 taking share in the risks and dangers oil
the undertaking Subsequently, any action
? Of France in the matter could not be looked
upon by any rational English statesman
e with any degree of credit or any belief ii
; honest intentions.
There are two parties in Egypt. Those
: who have some degree of knowledge and in
t timacy with European customs and ideas,
S and the other, the natives, most of whom
: judge an English army of occupation, in the
othhO 0ef ehSg ho'S bSOh w Oohoiei-
er that, for instance of. Ell Mahdi.
, When native city was captured by Brit
ish troops the inhabitants, whom long ex-
5 perience of such customs in their national
history had Taught them to expect, were
} surprised that their lives and properties
+ were untouched by the victors, who not on
ly respected the rights of their wives and
t daughters, but to their interest astouish.
4 ment paid them in sterling money for theii
farm products, their cattle, sheep and
: horses.
. The strange spectacle was disclosed tc
j them of these "cranky Inglesi' executing
by court martial several camp followers who
e had looted the houses of the vanquishet
: inhabitants. The British soldiers were i'm
: mediately, as is the custom with semi-bar
e barrie orentals, held in disrepute. In Low.
n er Egypt courts of justice were established
T through British influence and agency, by
t which the Copt and Fellatah might appea
: against the Khedive's tax gatherer ant
where he received justice. The orienta
through centuries of misgovernment har
been totally disqualified from appreciatinl
l this species of government. Western idea
Il of individual right are difficult to graf
e upon minds educated to patriarchal govern
II ment.
s Inese facts combined with the hidder
U and insidious opposition of the powerful
: well-to-do upper classes of eifendis, mol
ahs, sheiks and tax gatherers aided ant
It abetted by French intrigue placed continu
i GUS obstruction in the way of even partia
e conception of the honest intentions of tn
d English government,
l. The Priscilla.
d Wilmington has great interest in th
# Priscilla. This beautiful yacht built by tn