Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-02-20
The Story of the wnr,

English capitalists, as long ago as the time of
the Crimean war, loaned Turkey large sums of
money and took the bonds of the Sultan's gov
eminent alta good rate of interest and a con-
considerable bonus. Later English and French
capitalists loaned to the Egyptian government,
and TO the Khedive personally, in all nearly
$500 600, 900, much of it at bonus. This
loan is secured by bonds, and bears on an
average about per cent. interest
Without Egypt Turkey would be weakened
and less able to pay the interest on the bonds
held by English capitalists, and when the prin-
ciple falls due would probably be unable to
either pay or refund that. This is why
England desires that Egypt should remain as a
tribute-paying power to Turkey and under the
direct government of the Khedive.
In the early part of 1882 serious political
disturbances began to threaten Egypt. The
life of Arab Pasha, the minister of war, was
threatened by some fifty generals Of the army
acting together The Khedive refused to
sanction the verdict of conrt-martial which
had sentenced those officers to be shorn of
their decorations and rank and banished. The
ministry insisted that the decree should be
carried out. The Khedive refused. The
ministry thereupon threatened to depose him.
England and France became alarmed Arab
decided to convoke the Chamber of Notables
and by a vote of that b dy carry out the
| IilIShI uf,dluSU llC IAueluN6 Inc NOCuDlSS,
| however refused to assemble
| Meanwhile, English and French ships of
war arrived at Alexandria Ibis served to
concentrate all those opposed to the govern
nent OF the Khedive, and Arab at once be-
came their acknowledged leader. In order to
! protect those of their citizens who held
! Egyptian bonds, it was considered necessary
! by England and France to put down the REBEL
ion This they finally did, as is well known.
Arab became n captive, and later an involun-
tary exile. His mantle fell upon Ell Mahdi,
who, during Arabi's war, assisted that leader
under the title Of 'The False Prophet of the
Seuda:."
When an end was put to Arabi's plans, which
were to give Egypt a government something
like that enjoyed by Canada, Turkey eXercis-
ing practically the same powers over it as Eng
land does over Canada, and the victorious
| Wolseley had Withdrawn the English troops,
FL Mahdi still continued in a threatening at
titude. In fact, he showed such signs of
strength that the English bondholdeIs con-
tlnued to tremble. The principal cities of
Egypt were still governed by nat We troops
supposed to be in sympathy with the govern
ment of the Khedive-or in reality with the
! government Of England for the Khedive was
merely tool in the hands of the English. Such
city was Khartoum.
! England finally decided to send General
Gordon to withdraw this and the other garri-
sons and mako terms with El Mahdi. The
latter would not agree TO the terms offered by
Gordon. Gordon did not withdraw the garri-
son at Khartoum. That he could have done
so soon ster his arrival there had he desired is
reasonably certain. That he might have done
SO at the time Gcneral Wolseley was sent by
England, osttnsibly to relieve him, Is not i'm
probable.
Everybody who has read the papers for the
past few months knows the sequel.