The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-12-21
CURRENT COMMENT
England's Egyptian Coup.

The change which England has just
proclaimed in the status of Egypt really
makes no material difference, but il ends
an odd pretence which salved Turkish
pride by keeping alive the ghost OF the
domination which the Ottomans once ex-
ercised over all of Islam west of the
Persian frontier BY the abolition OF its
suzcrainty over the land OF the Nile Tur-
key loses nothing but prestige. BY the
establishment of the new protectorate
Great Britain gains no reality of power.
The government OF Egypt is nominal
| ly vested in the khedive and the council
of ministers, the popularity elected legis.
lative council being little more than an
advisory body. But the khedive and
ministers, although signing and promul-
eating all DEGREES have had no real pow
er. No important decision has been
reached by them since 1882 without con-
sultng the British resident, and none in
opposition TO his advice. Thus it is that
Lord Cromer, Sir Eldon Gorst and Earl
Kitchener have been the real rulers of
the country since the British government
assumed control. The high commission.
er, who now takes charge, will no doubt
continue the tradition and probably as
nearly as may be the mechanism which
worked so well under his able predeces-
sors.
The new order does not dispense with
the khedivate. This post is preserved as
a sop to Egyptian national aspirations,
just as many semi independent poten-
tates are maintained in various states of
Hindustan. 1t was, of course, fore
gone conclusion that Abbas Hilmi should |
no longer be allowed to pose rs ruler.
He has chosen to ally himself with the |
belligerent Turks against England and I
could expect no consideration. In choos-
ing as his successor his brothers father
Hussein Renal Pasha, the English ig /
more the succession by primogenituIc
which was established by firman in May,
1866, and revert to the traditional Mo
law which makes the oldest
living scion of the ruling family the
rightful heir. The significance of this as
. guarantee Of respect to Koran;c ideas
IS obvious. The revived title m sultan of
Egypt is also sweeping concession.
The interesting repacts recently circu-
lated that EnglatI would invite the
grand master III the Senussyeh order to
become kheNve and kaliph in despite of
.he sultzn are disposed of by the choice
If Eassein Renal They were always
Improbable because of the prospect of
persistent friction in the future The
senussyeh are not an organization to
lold in leading strings, nor is their chief
rood timber for fgurehead.
That England gains greatly by the re-
tatement Of her hold on Egypt in more
trongly defined terms may be doubted.
'he has long postponed it and even depre
ated it automatically on many occa
ions. The act to-day is one of belliger- 9
ncy, akin in spirit TO Lincolns .emanci- !
alton proclamation. 1t is intended to I
ntiict moral damage on the foe, to re-
uce his consideration among his sup b
orters at home and abroad There can Il
e little doubt as to its effectiveness in o
he Moslem world ii its reality be made ,
lain to all by unimpaired military com r
land of the situation in the Levant and I
he Red sea and the territories whose II
hores they wash.--New York Sun. c