The times., 1898-10-29
England in Egypt.

Great Britain is in Egypt as result
of an agreement of the powers. with
no certain tenure of control. The gov
ernment of the country was entrusted
to her at a time when there was
menace of perennial revolutions, when
the treasury was worse than bankrupt.
and the financial outlook chaotic, and
when there were no means of defense
against invasion. Daring adventures
could ask no circumstances more favor
able to robbery. 1t was an act of mercy
and humanity for Great Britain to un-
dertake the herculean task of bringing
about order in the distracted land, and
only envious France denied her right to
any benefits she might gather in pay
ment. She assumed the responsibility
with a distinct promise 20 withdraw
when order should be restored. If she
had any thought that events would
shape themselves so as to warrant her
remaining until now, she concealed it.
Long before the last great effort of the
dervishes France had begun an agita-
tion for the redemption of the promise,
affirming that order had been fully es-
tablished in the meaning of the agree
ment. The annihilation of the dervishes
at Omdurman at the cost of British
lives and treasure has strengthened the
moral claim of Great Britain to con-
tinued authority in Egypt until she
shall have been amply repaid for her
trouble and expenditures. In the sight
of Englishmen, 1t has supplied a final
reason why her rule should be unchal-
lenged until she chooses to withdraw or
until Egypt appeals to the powers for
release. In the sight of France, how
ever. the destruction of the blacks in
the Soudan makes further English DOM
ination unnecessary.
That the rumor in London and Paris
that Lord Salisbury had determined to
proclaim an English protectorate over
Egypt should have been promptly
credited, is proof of the reasonable
ness of the proposition that her au
thority should be more definite and
that she should be relieved of her prom
ise of withdrawal under the changed
conditions. When that promise was
made so prolonged and costly cam
paign against the Soudanese was not
included among her expected duties. II
happens, too. that while Egypt is sure
of domestic tranquility and prosperity
! as long as her course is directed by the
| English, the retirement of the latter
would leave her a prey to the ruinous
! Vaccinations of ambitious demagogues
| and to the plunderous proclivities of
soldiers OF fortune. No sincere diplo-
matist in Europe will deny that the
| country is safer in English than in
| Egyptian or any other hands, and that
the establishment of a British protec-
torate would be only fair to the En-
| glish and beneficial to the natives.
Yet it seems improbable that the
proposition should be urged at this par
ticular moment, when it is the purpose
of Salisbury to afford France an oppor-
| tunity for a graceful retreat from her
| Nile position. If there was the least
reason TO fear that France seriously
thought of carrying her defiance of
Great Britain to the point of war in the
| Fashoda business, such a proclamation
must increase the danger enormously
OF course, if England is persuaded that
eventually a war must result from the
situation, then it would be the part of
wisdom to bring 1t about at once.
England can never be more ready for
1t than at this moment, while France is
less ready than she will be hereafter
There is no confirmation of the rumor,
but it is almost positive that the matter
has been under consideration.