New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-03

the surface In india but all experts agree that
the main cause Of revolt among the highland
tribes outside the frontier. and also OF native
unrest and disaffection within the Empire, has
been fanaticism produced by bloodshed ard
rapine In Asia Minor and by the Sultan's tri
amph over the Greeks in the plains Of Thessaly
England Is paying q heavy penalty in India for
her feebleness and irresolution In dealing with
the Armenian and Greek questions. BY bold
stroke like q naval demonstration against
Smyrna she might have frightened the Sultan. or
In any event have compelled the Powers to de-
mand reparaton and domestic reforms after the
Armenian massacres: and with resolute cham
pionship Of the Greeks in the early stages
OF the Cretan question the little maritime king
dom might have cen strengthened materially In
resources and not left to fall q helpless prey to
the Turk with the consent Of Europe. England
neglected to make full use Of her opportunities
for decisive action. and the reflex effects OF
timorous lme-serving policy are now felt In
India. where fanaticsm is afame. So true is 1t
that England's diplomacy must always be dom
mated by Indian and colonial interests.
The same principle Is illustrated by the resist
less march OF events on the Nile Morally Eng
land ia directly pledges to Europe to Withdraw
her garrison from Egyp', and France, with Rus-
STA behind her. Is constantly emphasizing inc
demand for a fulflment OF the Obligations vi
good faith. England IL. however. detached from
the European system ana controlled by ihper'"'
interests. Cairo Is the real geographical centre
of the British Empire. and the abandonment OF
Egypt is impracticable. The pretext Is oHereu
that her work on the Nile Is not yet hnisheo'
and that the garrison must remain lndehn''ey
but the underlying truth Is that her pohcy IL III
rected from the ends Of the Empire. The cohoro'
Of the shortest waterway to India must remain
in her hands. and the supreme interests OF e'''-
pire In Africa are irresistibly drawing '"e
Ecypt,an troops with their British officers
toward the equatorial lakes. The way TO khar-
toum is already open. but that cannot be the
fina, goal. but merely a stepping-stohe 10 'he
complete reconquest Of the Khedive's African
empire.
The German press is already attempting 10
foreca 81 a future crisis in the Soudan which VIII
eave England go deeply embarrassed by the bur-
ders of empire that she will be helpless to inter
fere with the settlement Of the Eastern question.
Nenelek IL Is intimated, Is secretly In league
with the Sultan and the Abyssnians VIII speed
liz he Joining forces with the dervshes' ana "heh
England has been drawn too far into equatoi'a'
Africa to extricate herself France VIII 'e"pe"
the Egyptian question with passionate resent
ment Russia Will occupy 1erat ana me pd'"-
ton % tho Ottoman Empire will he ordered with
ut regard for the interests Of British pioihac!'
These cynical forecasts are OF no NaIue eH'e''
rs indications of Continental ill-wiil toward '"c
ono great Power which avoids entering ih'" en-
tanp,ine alliances III Europe and reserves Its en-
,rc,es and resources for the defence and enlarge
mont Of a worldwide empire. With continent
cai.N electric with suspicion and disfrus'' 'here
must be a Thunderstorm some day; nut "he"-
over II bursts no prophetic instinct Is needeo '"'
he assurance that England Will inevitably "
found 10 be the most secure ~ all the great f""
RS she will not be forced 10 fight Tor any any
Her goodwill n a great European crisis VIII "
coveted by every rival. This will be the natura
consequence Of a foreign policy which mas pFa'-
!cally ceased already to be European ana De-
come essentially colonial and imperial
y. r.