Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, OCT. 18. 1898. Egypt.

Manawatu Herald, 13 October 1898, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, OCT. 18. 1898. Egypt.

The events that are unfolding in Egypt will presently secure the desire of Britons that there shall be an all red route, or all British territory, from the north to the South of the African continent, and this in spite of the jealousies of rival Powers, the French included. It goes without much saying that whether we call the oountry Egypt, or a part of Africa, the hold now obtained by Britain in its management, and in its developement, is suoh, that for no Power will the good achieved be permitted to be again lost by a with drawal of British support to the Egyptian ruler, and the years will not be many before even that minor farce will be given up and the country boldly declared British terri fcory. These things inarch with the times as it was only as far back as 1869 that Egypt was a province of Turkey, ruled over by a Viceroy, who at-^this date received the title of Khedive, and the Sultan relinquished his powers of imposing taxes and making loans. Then in 1878 the the Sultan, by a firman, rendered the Khedive practically independent, and two English gentlemen were employed to arrange the finances of the oountry. Owing to the un satisfactory state of the revenue a special commissioner from England was sent out to investigate matters, and he referred to the waste and extravagance going on, the great works undertaken with insufficient means, loss by adventurers, the great military expenditure, and the necessity of intervention of superior power to restore credit and restrain expenditure. In these words we have the justification of British inter •

ference in the country. Mr Goschen and a French gentleman, M. Joubert, met at Cairo, and arranged the Khedive's finances, reducing the debt he owed of ninety-one million pounds to fifuy-nine millions, on, which seven per cent interest was to be charged. The Khedive's finance Minister objected and resigned, and a couple of years later another com mission was sent out, owing to the failure of the Khedive in carrying out the previous arrangement, and he had then to give up his landed property to the State. In 1879 more trouble about money matters arose, and the English and French financiers, Mr Rivera Wilson and M. do Blignieres were dismissed by the Khedive. This brought forth a joint Note from England and France what European Ministers must be appointed, and as the Khedive seemed troublesome, England, Germany, France, Austria, and Italy recommended the Khedive to abdicate. The Sultan settled the matter by deposing him and his son Tewfik wms allowed to reign in his stead. In 1880 an international committee on the debt was appointed, and when trouble arose in the country's politics, and rebellion broke out, the two Great Powers, England and France . worked hand-in-hand. In 1882 the admirals of both Powers protested against the fortifying of Alexandria, and owing to the erec tion of works threatening British ships not being stopped the bombardment of that town took place. Arabi Pasha, the chief minister of the Tewfik, sent an iusolent letter to Mr Gladstone after the bombardment and was degraded by the Khedive, and he then broke out into open rebellion, and Bmish troops bad to ha landed, but the French instead of lending assistance ordered their fleet away. After much fighting Arabi Pasha surrendered in September, 1882, and 12,000 British troop 3 were left in the country. After all the work and all the rnone tary risk taken by Britain it is not surprising to find that in November of that year the Anglo-French con trol wa* abolished. We have traced the start and finish of the joint c mt.ro! of Egypt to show that whatever B ituin has now gained she started with the best intentions of working with France, and it was owing to that country leaving Britain in the lurch at a critical moment which now prevents her from having a word to say about Egypt, the Soudan, or Syria. To get in accord with the present history making times it is necessary to hark back to the start of certain events, and we believe our readers will appreciate this very summary manner of treating a great subject, more especially as these evenly will help forward some wnnderful changes in the country nn the other side of the Bed Sea to Egypt, as it must be kept in mind that we have been told that Gernnny has not interfered with British policy in Egypt and we can almost; add, Africa, sine* the snub adnrnistered to President Kruger, as it was understood Britain would allow Germany a free hand in Syria, about which we shall have more to say in another article.