New-York tribune., 1885-01-20
. ANOTHER SCARE IN LONDON.

Another unusual Government Council has
causod ;ptense excitement in England. A fort
nioht AGO the Admiralty issued percmptory
orders recalling the officers anu crews OF the
Channel Squadron. As the Cabinet had been
holding Irotracted sessions for two days these
orders were interpreted rs m indication OF
stirring events in Egypt and stronger d'plo-
matte policy in Europe The Admiralty
speedily dispelled the illusion by explaining
that there was no connection between the
Cabinet Councils and the orders to the fleet,
but the alarm and excitement caused by so Ill
timed proceeding subjected the Government
to mercilcss criticism from the press On Sun
Jay there was n consultation Of officials of the
War Office "A most unusual occurrence for that
day They were together for several hours and
apparently were transacting business OF great
importance. YESTERDAY there was unwonted
activity at the naval stations in the South OF
England, and at the War o lice there was rs
much hustle IA mystery. This may be more
"routine r-lnOthcr fortuitOus sequence OF
events, but the Government is certainly
lacking in prudence If it has misied tho coun-
trv a second time. Foreign affairs are now so
closely watched aud public anxiety is so marked
that these unusual councils and unwOnted signs
OF activity and preparation are regarded by the
English people as unerrnS indications OF
Ministerial ch lnge of front and the adoption OF
vigorous measures.
The first Interpretation placed upon these
warlike movements connects them with the
mission OF Hassan Fehmi, the Turkish Minister
of Justice He has arrived IN London on a
mysterious GRAND one explanation is that the
Sultan is anxious to send troops to Egypt;
another is that the Russian Government has
been making. diplomatic advances To the Porte
aud that England consent to a secret treaty is
to be asked; aud still another reduces his mis-
sion to questions OF finance. The last is the
most probable solution, since the Turkish
Treasury is empty aud L,nlon is the best
market in which to dispose of the Snitans
nominal severe gnties for harl cash. WAY the
Turkish Pachas should select the present iunct
ure as an oDportune time Tor oilers Oi military
intervention in Egypt are at a loss 10 under-
stand As for the rlf,nOr of "a secret treaty IL is
only credited in Vienna, where Russian designs
ia the Balkan are always an object OF susr Icion
and jealousy. II is idle To suppose either that
the Sultan meditates an invasion OF Egypt
against the wishes Of England, or that Russia Is
intriguing at Constantinople for Il secret treaty
that will be certain to excite the resentment OF
Austria.
more natural explanation of the military
and naval preparations may be onset upon the
opposition offered by the Continental Govern
ments to the English proposals for Egypt. Mr.
IL lads;onc has made labprous effort to obtain
a European mandate for his policy on the Nile.
The time may have come when even nc is con-
vinced that independence OF action has become
necessary. Certainly If the Powers unite in
counter proposals. which England cannot ac-
cept with self-respect, the country will support
him in a vigorous policy based upon accom-
plished facts rather than upon dplomluc
pledges that cannot now be fulfilled. "ith
garrison cntrenchcd in Lower Egypt, with an
army approaching Khartoum fourteen hundred
miles from the Mediterranean. and with pro-
prietary rights in two-tfths OF the Suez Canal,
England is in a position 10 act independently of
Europe, if diplomatic coalition be formed in
the Continental Capitals