The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-07-15
E4AXWG FROM THE MI z.

lowed by such an abuse OF government
as to lead to bankruptcy and French inter-
v%ention. The old argument, If we don't do
it somebody else will, Is presented as the
strongest support of British interference.
ENGLISH INFLUENCE LESS THAN
IN INDIA
EnElish influence, however, has been
less harmful in Egypt than In India. and
this is probably due, in the main, to two
causes: first, her influence Is exerted through
a native Government, whose authority
she acknowledges; and secondly, because
the interests which other nations have In
, Egypt make them oppose any enoroaoh-
monts on the Fart Of England, while In India
she has a free hand. AS an illustration !
might cite the fact that she compels the
Indian to support the Indian army, while
She pays the ordinary expenses of the 5000
British soldiers in Egypt, and only asks
Egypt to ray for the extraordinary ex-
penses. 1t is no reflection upon England TO
FAY hat she Is better for being watched.
We believe that in regard to our W public
men, and 1t is simply a recognition Of the
frnilty Of human nature, Lord Cromer
has been In Egypt for twenty-six years, and
his reports indicate a desire to advance the
welfare OF the people Of Egypt. He has
He has insisted upon honesty In the ru, iic
service and has been q friend OF eduoat--h.
While the national debt contains a large
amount OF usurious interest and Ia there
fore much heavier than 1t ought to be, 1t
and is being gradually paid of. The debts
irrigation will be more than redeemed by
the sale Of the land reclaimed and the
country will then havs the benefit not only
Of the reclaimed land but Of the increased
value of la nds indirectly benefited. Although
the salt tax CONTRARY to Lord Cromer's
advice) is still more than 200 per cent.
the per capita rate Of axation has been re-
duoed, agricultural and postal bankB have
been eeta hlished and the Government rail
way, telephone and telegraph systems have
been extended. In his l00s report Lord
Cromer presents an argument In favor Of
Government roads as against roads owned
privately.
DANCER IN ALIEN OWNERSHIP.
The great danger that Egypt has to fear
is the disinheritance Of the felAh and the
alien ownership Of the land. Unless great
care Is taken Egypt will drift into the con-
Of her resources by foreign landlords. It
is very difficult for a foreign representative
to arbitrate impartially Between his own
people at home and the natives among
wnom ne temporarily resides, and Lord
Cromer will deserve great credit II he IL
able to protect the Egyptians from exploit
tation. However well meaning the English
advisers are now or hereafter may be, |
Egypt's safety must lie In the development
of her own people. The legislative council |
understands this and insists upon the ex-
tension Of the school system. It Ia wise in
80 doing, for every educated man or woman |
adds to the moral force that restraints and
directs the Government.
An increase In the number Of the edu-
GATED not only tends TO the preservation Of |
aw and order but furnishes q larger num-
Der fit to be officials and thus lessons the
excuse for the employment OF foreigners.
There has been, among !reformers, some
discussion Of a Constitution, but as that
would ourtail the powers Of the Khedive,
as we'll as define the authority Of England,
II would probably be opposed at present by
the Moslem Leaders,.
i cannot conclude without n reference to
the pioneer work done in the field OF eduoa-
ton by the United Presbyter!ans. They have
several churches and a number Of very
successful schools and must be OF edited with
ving contributed largely to the progress
which Egypt has made and Is making.