Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1912-01-04
CneAMkNG
tsJNAIIONS
The Lid Down Tight on Young Egypt
Great Britain, Following Roose-
velt's Advice, Pursues Sterner Meas
ures With Egyptian Nationalist.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

world, even of the man of the street,
has been directed to the interesting
Tact that the somnolence of centuries
In the land of the Pharaohs has been
broken, and that unrest, self-conscious
and actively directed, Is the present
outstanding characteristic of the polit-
ical life OF this Oldest of living ma
tons. Rather strangely, this very in
terest on the part of visiting Ameri-
can did more to quell the unrest than
any other factor, for Mr.. Roosevelt's
famous advice to the British to deal |
more vigorously with the agitators |
was straightway followed by a policy |
OF sternness that has not since been
relaxed.
The result is that all the British
land especially those who hold Egyp-
tan shares) are enthusiastically
grateful to Mr.. Roosevelt, while the
Egyptian nationalists hate him with
an Oriental intensity such as none of
his political enemies at home are ca
pable of feeling. Meanwhile the stu
alton continues well in hand. Sir Ed
win Gorst announced, shortly after
the distinguished American visitor
had gone, that his former policy OF
leniency had been mistake, and that
henceforth severer measures would
be the rule. Now the lid is down
tight. The nationalists can no longer
write and speak as they please. Meet
ings are held only under restrictions
and surveillance. Some Of the leaders
have been sent to Jail for their sedi-
tious utterances. Demonstrations can
no longer be held at the pleasure OF
the agitators. Complaints are very
bitter that the latter cannot get their
grievances before the public.
British Rule Threatened.
Interested observers - statesmen,
stock brokers. missionaries - de-
clare that prior to the stiffening
up of the governments backbone by
Mr. Roosevelt the rule Of Great Brit
ain was really in peril. Assassinations
and riots were both growing alarm
ingly frequent. More than once the
army of occupation had to be paraded
In order to oVerawe the turbulent pop
ulace. Residents felt apprehensive OF
fanatical outburst of the VIGOROUSLY
infammable Cairo mobs. who cared
less for nationalist principles than for
disorder and loot. These fears were
In large measure removed by Sir Ed
win Gorsts surrender of his policy
of tolerance and Cancellation, and by
his frmer measures.
Theoretically the Egyptian national
lists have the best of cases. Their plea
l. H.. oil
OF self-government. They want relief
from a government which they say,
truly. is only usurper. Great Brit
tins control is only by right of might
and possession. The country is nomi-
nally under the suzerainty Of Turkey.
The British occupation is. by Brit
ish avowal only temporary. But 1t
will be many long day before Great
Britain moves out. When she and
France stormed Alexandria, and II
became necessary for some strong
power to remedy the prevailing condi
tons of anarchy. the task devolved
upon Great Britain, acting in behalf
of the cause of international order
Her answer to the other nations, and
TO the Young Egypt party. is that the
country Is not yet ready to resume
the task OF governing itself. Now the
government frankly is assuming al
enlarged degree Of authority and re
sponsibility and diminishing the pow
er in the hands OF natives. This. Of
course, is in the face OF sedition II
Egypt proper and in view Of rather
alarming rumors OF sedition among
the native troops in the Sudan. Wher
Lord Kitchener recently visited Egyp
and the Sudan, ostensbly for sport
It is known that he called together
all the resident officers who had eve
served under him and went over thu
situation in the Sudan with them.
Some British BIunders.
In all the accusations that wer'
made against the British by the ma
tionalist leaders whom interviewed
detected a note of personal resent
ment, of offended sensibilities. Appar
emily the most fundamental of tn
British mistakes-and | count II reall,
serious-is that the dominant powe
has not been considerate of the fee
ings of the natives of the land. Wit
characteristic British tactlessness' IN
authorities have sought to help tn
people, without at all trying to pleas
them. When a measure was deeme
for the nations welfare, II was adop
ed, often in a way that ran roughsho
over the peoples sensibilities. In
word. the British have very often di'
played bad manners In dealing wit
the Egyptians. AS one adviser. G
assistant to minister. put 1t to M
my minister upstairs is quite d.
cent fellow"--no attempt being mad
TO conceal the fact that the BritishC
was the real power behind the thron
and that his superior officer was onl
my minister"
There is a great deal OF "the publ
be damned" attitude about the BIRTHS
official in colonial service. and sma
attention is paid to explaining