The Atherstone, Nuneaton, and Warwickshire Times. — 1882-06-03 (Atherstone, Warwickshire, England)

SATURDAY, JUNE 1882.  TURKEY AND EGYPT.  Events move quickly in Egypt. The cloud no biggeti than a man's hand has increased ominously, and now threatens a storm, the effects of which are beyond our imagination. We say threatens, though there are signs which raise the hope that, after all, the itorni may pass and fair weather may prevail. When we are informed that the decks of the ships at Alexandria were cleared for action, and that, by, the advice of the Admirals the merchant steamers got up steam in order to enable them to move out of the line of fire at a moment's notice, it is manifest that hostilities have been escaped, for 'the present, only by the skin of our teeth. From Cairo I the general exodus continues, and anarchy appears imminent. The Khedive is powerless and his life is believed to be in danger, whilst his powerful opponent, Arabi Pascha, supported by the army, is openly agitating for the dethronement of Tewfik, and the appointment of Halim as his successor. Then comes the intelligence that France and England have withdrawn their *objection to Turkish intervention, in view of the dangers to which Khedive and order in Egypt are exposed,and that at the suggestion of the Sultan the Khedive has telegraphed a formal request that Commissioners should be sent from Turkey, and has re-instated Arabi Pascha in his post as Minister of War. There is a considerable amount of doubt hanging over some of these rumours, but whatever the outcome is it is plain that events of a very critical nature are occurring. 4tlndoubtedly the interference of Turkey would be regarded as a victory of the Sultan and Arabi Pascha over the Western Powers. .It is due more to France than to England that objections were raised to the Sultan interfering to restore order, but at all events, having induced the Khedive to act on their advice,and to remain loyal to them, France and England cannot now leave him to the tender mercies of the Sultan and Arabi Pascha, to be conveniently got rid of by one of those suicides or accidental modes of death which usually befall high personages in the East when their deaths are desired. We admit that there are grave objections to call in the aid of Turkey, and in fact that there I is more than a suspicion that Arabi Pascha is simply a tool in the hands of the Sultan who has encouraged and fomented the disturbances in order that Turkish rule may be re-established in Egypt. A genuine Sovereignty over Egypt is the ambition of the Sultan, for this he has astutely worked and patiently waited, and it may very probably be his desire to show Europe that no Government but his own is possible in Egypt, and that without his influence order cannot be permanently restored. But despite these disadvantages it would almost seem as if the action of Turkey, supported by the Western Powers, would be the most advantageous means by which the insurrection in Egypt could be stamped out. Arabi Pascha is fast becoming a hero. It is said he has a commission from the prophet, and if the religious fanaticism of the populace once be aroused, it will be a difficult matter for Europeans to deal with It is quite within the bounds of possibility that if allowed to go too far, Turkish soldiers would not fight against their co-religionists. But these are all matters which must have been foreseen and guarded against. 'Whether we were right or wrong in interfering at first and taking the part of the Khedive against Arabi Pascha may be a question of doubt, for it is quite open to contention that it was not our place to decide whether Arabi Pascha was the leader of a national movement or simply a self-seeking adventurer. But we have interfered, we have induced the Khedive to trust us, and to act on our advice and instructions, and therefore we must see him safely through the rocks and breakers which have been created by his confidence in France and England. Though the situation at present is sufficiently gloomy to depress lovers of peace, it is quite within the bounds of possibility that matters may now improve and not get worse.  I I jI•