The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-10
THE DREAD GREEN FLAG

The news from Cairo that the Khslifa
has raised the green flag and declared
a holy war. suggests the possibility that
England has been again oufwitted by Rus
sian diplomacy. IL will be remembered
that on the announcement Of the inten-
ton OF Great Britain to proceed against
the Dergishes. France and Turkey precip-
itately rushed in with protest Russia,
cool and deliberate always. chided France
and pointed out that England would not
be deferred and that If she used her own
money tire spoils Of victory would be
hers. but II she were permitted by the
other powers to dcfray the expenses Of
the campaign from the Egyptian treasury.
the conquered territory would logically be-
long 20 Egypt. The same advice was given
TO Turkey, and as the sultan Is no doubt
being tempted with the promise Of restora-
ton OF Egypt to his suzerain,y. he would
naturally look forward TO profiting by the
results OF successful campaign.
But Russia saw even further ahead than
this. While her sympathie3 as the head
OF the Greek church were extended to the
ination OF Italy, the shrexdest power in
Europe was whispering encouragement TO
the Mohammedan sultan and to the great
leader of Mohammedan forces In Africa
The distinction made by the Khalifa is
very significant. He says that he has al
ways been ready 10 submit to the author
ity OF the Khedive OF Egypt as the rep
authority over the Mussnlmans. but that
he would resist to the death any expedl-
ton coming from Egypt so long as the
British occupied the country. He Is not
a, enfnity with the Faithful. but with the
Gaiours. This means religious war.
calling TO arms every disciple Of the
Prophet. no. Only in the SoIdan. but wher-
ever a Moelem is to be found II will not
he war hy Egypt under British guidance
against reheliIous subjects in a revolted
province: II Will he war In which the
dogs Of Christians are 70 he fought IN
battle. murdered by treachery. harassed
and thwarted by every means known to
Oriental fanaticism and cunning
In that mysterious way common 20 an
nomade races. the news Of the impend-
Ing conflict has been carried to the mos.
distant quarters Of the Mohammedan en-
rire This means that even In Egypt. A.
though the war Is undertaken ostensibly
in the interests Of the Khedve. the Mos
lem population will become secret foes.
the sultan win an1 his hands strength
ened and his prestige restored BY the uni
hcation OF his Moslem subjects against a
common enemy. am Christian England
viii he subjected % the more or less omen
hostility Of 81 o0a go Sohsrneaans in AZ
rtca. and raore than 10 aa.n o,e In Asia. Her
Indian possessions are threatened. and be
hind the Kha'ifa and the sultan. the Der
wishes ~ Africa and the Mussulrnauz 81
Asia Is the figure OF Russia. bent on break
Ing down the power Of England and ex-
tending her own influence to the Mediter-
ranean on the south and 70 the coveted
treasures % far-ofr india IN the East
The possibilities Of such war are awfui
In their magnitude England "a never IN
mindful OF the danger 20 which she Is
exposed. but IN her past movements IN
Africa and Asia. has always contrives be-
forshand 10 have European politics in
such SHAPE thar Russia dared not stir
This time. however. & looks as II fate had
50 completely isolated the small but pow
erfni island, that her next war mus, ~
| made not only against the blind fury cr
an 'fuplacahis religious fsnaticisrn. but
with every power IN Europe. except only
l'aiy. openly OF secretly arrayod asains:
| her.
The genius 81 the Aaglo-Saxon race
should 10 with EnEisna in such conflict,
The sympathy 81 the people q the United
States. bound TO her h. racial ties and a
| cormca tongue. ~ say nothing - The
| calls made by religion and civilization.
| logically array sf Engi sh-speaking PEG
| pie all CHRISTIAN nations, against the bar
| ta5isra ard the heresies OF the Mohasu-
| ,s.saau -.