Tombstone epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 1916-01-02

! believe ! am the only mau who has
ever browbeaten Kitchener 20 his
face. II is this circumstance that
propose nov to relate.
In the summer of the year 1911, Eu-
Italy, which had long coveted Tripoli.
was massing an army with the object
of seizing that Turkish province with
hardly a pretense OF Justification. As
she held command of the sea, and
there were only ten thousand Turkish
troops in Tripoli the success of the
proposed act OF spoliation appeared a
foregone conclusion unless Turkey
could move a force through Egypt for
the purpose OF defending her last Afri-
can possession.
Now Egypt, although occupied by
Great Britain. was nominally Turk
Ssh province. She paid tribute to
Turkey Of $4,000 900 annually. The
khedive was a vassal OF the sultan;
Turkey has always claimed the right
to use Egypt as base for warlike op-
eraticns. The very army which over
threw the khalifa at KhaTtum moved
under the Turkish flag.
With large force in Syria and an
other on ihe east littoral of the Red
sea. it seemed only matter OF time
before Turkey could throw enough
men into TripoN 10 drive the Italians
into the sea.
Therefore the moment ! heard Of
Italy's coup ! began to wonder what
part Great Britain was playing in the
crisis.
Three weeks previously Sir Edward
Grey, the British foreign minister. for
whom I was engaged in the unofficial
task Of investigating certain influences
which we're making for war in Europe.
had written me very friendly letter,
suggesting that the recently construct
ed dam at Assuan. on the Nile, was
one of the worlds marvels. and that a
sight of it would well be worth my
while as soon as my affairs permitted
me TO Ieaye Vienna, where was then
staying.
I had taken the hint and gone to
Cairo, where, being acquainted with
many members of the English govern.
mental staff, I spent a very pleasant
fortnight. not. however. too much en-.
crossed in social pleasures to prevent
me frcm keeping my ear to the ground
20 listen for sounds and rumors.
Lord Kitchener had just been ap
pointed TO the supreme command in
Egypt. Nominal!y the khedive's ad
wiser, ne was to be actually the ruler
of the province. British prestige,
which had sunk to low ebb during
the period Of his predecessor, was eI.
pected to reach the heights which il
occupied when Lord Cromer's nod was
law all through the valley of the Nile
We had known that Lord Kitchen.
er's appointment. coming Unexpectedly
as 1t did. was Of high significance. He
had been summoned hastily TO Down
ing street; something was in the air
and ye had all felt it; his movements
as always. were yeiled in mystery
ana none knew whether he had al
rea6y sailed or was still lingering in
England. Neanv bile there was nobody
In charge at Caico with power and au
thOrfty 70 issu- Soi " -e
lands name.
They knew IL, that polyglot crew oi
Germans. Greeks. Armenians, Copts
1evantipes: and Cairo buzzed like q
becs. nest with intrigues. So that Il
avsr fse khediye was tempted to defy
his e-,tish masters and display his no
.or,ocs pro-Turkish sympathies, no"
was tse time
So ~ben | descended to the dining
room of Shepherds on certain
morning and read in newspaper tha'
Its,y had addressed an ultimatum tt
Taskey, knew that 1 had not peer
xecomu,ended to investigate the As
saan aam for nothing
lad hardly finished breakfast ~hei
AtterbuTy. who was In charge cam'
into the dining room 1hefe was