Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-04
France and England In Egypt.
Paris letter.


II IS curious, indeed, to observe the
strange atavism by which the Egyptian
question, springing from spite and vexa-
ton. has retained that character When
Gambetta overturned NJ de Freycinet by
preventing cooperation with England in
Egypt. his object was TO be revenged on
him for succeeding him as Premier after
he had refused TO join his Cabinet end
protested that he would not succeed him.
The overthrow was fortunate, for the
new condominlum would certainly have
led 10 war ThencefOrth, however, sue
cessive foreign ministers have INDUCED
in the puerile game of worrying England
without having the means or the CO.
operation requisite for retrieving the origi-
nal blunder Thcnceforth the French con-
sulate in Cairo became the centre OF all
schemes against England, and, as always
happens in such cases, France soon found
IN cairo, as at Alexandria, auxiliaries In
her resistance among those whose birth
and rank gave them the highest position.
This policy has been steadily pursued.
When Tigrane Pasha and Sir f. Palmer
came to Paris in 1891 TO negotiate the
conversion Of the debt, rejection was i'm
possible. but NJ. Ribot stipulated that the
money thus saved should be locked up in
the Egyptian Treasury. II now amounts
to $500, coo, and whereas 1t might have
llghtened taxation and quintupled Egypts
prosperity by providing the means for
embanking the Nile, France has had the
simple satisfaction OF annoying England.
Again. when England in 1925 asked for
c5OOOOo to 60 TO DOngoa, there was NJ.
Bertheiot's outburst, the refusal of the
tribunals, and the delight OF narrow
minded and malicious men at infiicting a
fresh rebuff on England-a childish step,
indeed. as though the refusal OF half a
million to a nation like England could
delay her action for a single moment. The
Marshand mission was simply the con-
tlnuation of this policy, and, considering
this Schadenfreude, II is easily under
stood how this sudden Ill turn amid the
satisfaction of victory won by SO long
and heroic an effort made the cup over
flow.
Ii would, however, be a crying injustice
not to acknowledge that England. on her
side. has committed faults. and has let
furnished France with reasons for SUB
mission TO accomplish facts. After the
bombardment OF Alexandria. after the
battle of Tel ell Kebir, she might have
proclaimed the protectora,e and not
finger would have been raised against
her She did not do so because she was
i'll informed as to the state OF Egyptian
finances. because she lacked resolution
and was afraid TO undertake the debt.
She thereby left the door open TO the
difficulties which have arisen. She com
mitted still greater hunder. She pro-
missed 10 evacuate Egypt, she nearly
signed the Drummond Wolff convention,
and she owes the wonderful good fortune
Of not being forced to withdraw 10 Nj.
Flourenss, inconceivable opposition 20
that convention.
Now. / agree with those who say that
there is no compensation to be given TO
France for Fashoda, inasmuch as no COM
pensation is given for an ill-turn. but II
X thought here that compensation should
he given 10 France for Englands engage
ment which she cannot fulfil even If she
would. 10 withdraw from Egypt. the
rights of France in Egypt are not identi-
cal with those of other nations. and
France has been deprived OF more than
they have been. yet not by a war. which
would have given England a right which
she does not possess The French Colony
Is five times as large as that OF any other
nation. Alexandria has been for ages a
Kind a continuation OF Marseilles. France,
I'm fact has always felt herself at home
in Alexandria, and this feeling she mad
indeed AT times when no other Power
couId feel itself so predominant there
And finally. IL must not be forgotten that
II was with her labor, her genius. and her
savings and resources. In spite or Eng
lond that the Suez canal was construct
ed and to-day England has made by that
canal. which she opposed, the enormous
sum of "a. eco 600 Of pounds.