The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-19
TIE FURRY IN EGYPT.

Il is not quite certain that the furry in
Egypt is not a French trick to direct atten-
ton from the Panama scandal. Affairs in
Egypt are in so unnatural condition that
it is always possible to get up popular eX-
element there. The story goes that the
Khedive appointed a new Ministry without
consulting the representative Of Great
Britain, and that the latter demanded the
dismissa! Of the new Ministers under pen
atty of summary action by his Governme nt.
This is either false or, al least, exaggerated.
Under the present system Of government
IN Egypt the Khediye is free 10 appoint any
Ministers he pleases. but neither he nor
they can take any action on financial mat
ters without the assent Of financial adviser
appointed By Great Britain. The present
adviser is Sir Evelyn Barring, a gentleman
Of discretion and extensive experience in
Egyptian affairs. To enable him TO carry
out his views regardless Of Egyptian opinion
the army Of Egypt is commanded by English
officers, who are under the control OF an
English geneTal-at present General F. w.
Grenfell. The sensitive SPOT in Egyptian
politics IS the finances. Though the popu-
lation is only about 1000. 600 the debt is over
$500, 0O0, and to meet the annual interest
and delray the cost Of running the govern
ment a sum Of $50, 200 has TO be raised
every year by taxation. If the Khediye has
proposed to make any change in the Enan-
cial system without the assent of Sir Evelyn
Barring trouble has of course ensued, but it
remains to be seen whether Tewfk's
successor has attempted SO daring an ex-
pertinent and one which would put his
throne to such hazard.
II no that hot IA p ioh
the French foresaw in 1885, when they with
drew from the dual control, aud left Eng
land 10 manage Egypt alone. The English
are trying to naturalize In Egypt methods
which have answered in Hindostan, but
which are inapplicabe in a country so far
advanced as the valley Of the Nile. Eleven
years ago. when Arab got up his rebellion,
it was manifest that the Egyptians were
chafng under the English yoke, and that
they would throw it off when they could.
It is never easy to manage a malc0Dtent
people, but when the people are bankrupt
as well as malcontenr, the enterprise be-
comes oyerpoweringly difficult. This the
French had the wit to discern, and they
stepped out The English felt that il a for
eign power like Russia gained possession Of
Egypt it might sever the line of commune
cation between India and the ruling c0un-
try, and they stayed The problem for
their solution Is TO increase the cuitiva BILE
area Of Egypt by irrigation so as to tighten
the burden Of the debt and the budget. If
they can succeed ih this they may maintain
their dominion without grave incOnven-
fence; if they cannot make the country self
supporting trouble will be chronic.
Egypt is not as important country as it
used TO be, when ii was the granary of the
Mediterranean. ard supplied cotton to
clothe Europe an and African. Last year
Egypts exports Of wheat were invoced at
less than 100000 She still ships some
$40 Geo, eco worth of cotton. But if a war or
other accident should stop the whole trade
OF the country, the disturbance felt at the
commercial centers would be slight. Times
have changed since north wind which de-
layed the arrival Of the Egyptian wheat
feet at Italian ports threatened reyolu-
ton at Rome. As to the danger to England
OF a Russian occupation of Egypt, that is
rather apparent than real. 1t would merely
make Egypt the battlefield in case of war.
and Russia would have TO contend against
the obstacle which proved fatal to her in the
| Crimean war. She would fight so far from
base, and her communications would be so
| hampeTed, that she would be at disadvan-
tage all the time.
! The opinion is growing, tor. that mere
| Intellectual superiority is not justification
| for the occupation of foreign territory The
| English have perhaps administered Egyp-
tian finances better than the Egyptians
! could have done. But if that authorized
them to take the management of Egyptian
affairs out of Egyptian hands the deduction
| would follow that the world ought 10 be
| ruled by select tea party Of intelligent
nations, and some Of the stupid nations
might be slower 10 admit their stupidity
than a smooth working Of The system would
require. The day may come when the
English may regret they did not long ago
deal with Egypt as Mr.. Gladstone dealt with
the Ionian Islands.