The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-16
England, Gift to Egypt.

The completion and dedication Of the
great dam AT Assouan by which the
arabic area of Egypt will be greatly in
creased. raises the question whether
British rule in Egypt is not amply justi-
fled by the results. That question would
be answered in the negative by French
men. on the ground that England's title
10 permanent control in the Nile Valley
is indisprtablv bad Nor is there any
doubt that when after the suppression
of the uprising headed by ARAB Pasha,
the British undertook the restoration
of order in Egypt they promised to
withdraw IA soon as tranquility should
be established That promise was more
than once repeated. and many years
have elapsed since the peace Of Egypt
proper was disturbed, or the regular en-
forcpment of the laws obstructed Never
theless, England has continued to main
tain a military force in the Nile country,
and to treat II as II il were vassal State.
Admitting that England's title to Egypt
is open To dispute on technical grounds,
we must, at the same time. acknowledge
that, like other titles il may be mended
by prescrpt ion. and that il is in a fair
way not only To be confirmed by pro-
longed occupation. but also TO be conse-
Grated by inestimable services.
When England assumed control Of
Egypt the task of providing the interest
on the debts due to foreign creditors and
also the money indispensable for the
local admnist ration seemed impractical
bic. Notwithstanding the relatively cxor-
bitant taxes wr,ing from the teidheen,
or peasant cultivators Of the soil At
that time nobody dreamed that not only
could these two objects be attained, but
that surplus would also be forthcoming
for the development of the country by
means of public works. All this has been
accomplished. however, and, meanwhile,
the burdens of the taxpayers have been
not aggravated, but senslbly diminished
While, as vet, no notable addition to
Egypts crltivablr area had been made
the public revenue and the surplus of
native products available for export had
been increased immensely by the cease
less application of thrift, probity and
sagacitv, with the result that not only
were the claims of foreign creditors
punctually met, as regards interest and
sinking fund and the cost of an improved
local administration defraved but suffi-
Gent funds were left AT the disposal of
the British supervisors to impart "A power
fll stimulus to agricultural and manu-
featuring industries, and 10 create
native army qualified for self-defence
and for the recovery of dismembered
territory.
II was by means of this well -orga niZed
and disciplined force that Gen. HITCH
ENER dispelled the threatening cloud hat
had hung over Egypt since the conquest
Of the Soudan by the Mahd and his Sue
oeesor, the Kalfa ABDULIAH When we
bear in mind the brevity of the term in
which these achievements have been per-
formed, and remember. also, that, instead
of being wrought AT the expense of the
taxpayers, they have been accomplished
under fiscal regime which has made
the tillers of the soil more prosperous
than they have ever been in the six mil
lenniums Of Egyptian history. We shall
find it hard to overrate the magnitude of
the country's obligations to Great Britain.
Had the British troops and British Of
ficials been withdrawn after the rehabili-
tation of the khedival finances, the re-
adjustment of the fiscal system on sound
principles, the IMMIGRATION of native
industries and the reconQuest of the
Soudan, England would have earned a
memorable place in the long list Of rulers
that have welded autocratic power in
the Nile Valley.
II may be- questioned however, whether
all of England's preceding services to the
Egyptian people would have gained so
lasting place in history as is likely to be
conceded to the vast increase of their
arabic area by the huge dam built at
Assouan, which will render practicable
the irrigation of more than million
acres hitherto cut of from cultivation
This is an engineering achievement
which for magnitude and utility has no
parallel, unless i. be one furnished by
Egypt herself; the colossal reservoir
constructed by Pharaoh of the Twelfth
Dynasty in the Oasis Of Fayoum. 1t "