Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-07
ENGLAND AND FRANCE.

According 10 London dlspatch, tnere
seems to be some apprehension Of a
clash between Great Britain and
France concerning Egypt. The latter
country Is said TO regard the present
time opportune for demand on Eng
land for the evacuation Of the country
Of the Khedye.
II is not impossible that the question
has again been brought up between the
two governments, but II seems highly
improbable that France should at this
time seriously contemplate the inter-
ruptlon Of friendly relations with her
nelghbor. The risk would be too great.
1t Is not probable that France will
carry her Egyptian agitation beyond
the diplomatic stage but there Is al
ways some danger that reason Will be
dethroned by popular clamor. William
T. stead, in the Review Of Reviews, hits
the mark when ne says, first, that the
French are Just as capable Of underestl-
mating the fighting strength OF Great
Britain, as was this country Of under
estimating the strength Of the Beers;
and. secondly, that France is quite ca
pable Of going mad at times. Hcance
certainly was temporarily lnsai when
she raised the battlecry ION 10 Ber-
llnl" only to finish at Sedan and under
certain circumstances that feat might
be repeated, with such variations as an
attempt TO reach London would neces-
state,
The negotiations with Italy 10 replace
the English garrisons in Egypt would
seem to furnish a ground for complaint
Egypt is technically a Turkish depend
ency Great Britain turned the rebel
lion Of Arab Pasha TO advantage, and
occupied the country, ostensibly in or
der TO help the Khediye to preserve the
peace. English troops were TO hold
the country as long as such precaution
was deemed necessary, but no longer.
II now the time has come for Great
Britain to use her Egyptian troops else
where, the responsibility for the
maintenance OF peace and law In Egypt
falls really on the Sultan. who is the
sovereign. and II his power Is insult
Client, Europe must again interfere.
Great Britain's supervision Of Egyp-
tlan affairs 1t will be contended. was
only temporary. She does not own
Egypt and cannot replace her troops
there with those OF any one OF the
European powers.
In France an idea prevails that
Great Britain may have to give up
Egypt IN order TO hold South Africa
But as far as can be seen, az this stage
Of the war, there IL no such probabili-
~. Great Britain has now about 2OO-
600 men on South African soil Against
this vast army the Beers, according to
the best estimates, cannot muster to
exceed 10000 men, including the for
eigners that fight with them. Great
Britain is preparing TO send another
force OF not far from 100000 men to
the scene Of war, while the Beers have
no reserves TO draw on. How long can
the Beers under such circumstances
continue 20 be a menace 10 Great Brit
aims power and prestige?
And then, what is a force OF 100000 |
men, or even half million, to a coun-
try like Great Britain As far as hui
man foresight can tell, France has no
prospect Of obtaining revenge for |
Egypt or Fashoda, In the near future.
But the future is often hidden 10 the
view Of even the most trained observer
OF human events. IL Is never safe 10 /
build forecasts on mere appearances.
There is a Providence that shapes the
destiny OF nations. Notwithstanding
the calculations OF both statesmen and
demagogues.