The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1914. THE EGYPTIAN PROTECTORATE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 169, 23 December 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1914. THE EGYPTIAN PROTECTORATE.

The official declaration that Egypt has I become a British protectorate can have caused no surprise whatever, as the termination of Turkey's suzerainty was li measure that only awaited a favorable opportunity, and the. declaration of war by Turkey gave that opportunity, and opened up the way for putting an end to what was but a sham overlordship, and substituting therefor a real, instead of a quasi-permissive British occupation. Actually, Egypt lias been under British rule since the dual control, which was exercised by franco and Britain from 1ST!) to 1883, was terminated by Britain in the latter year, being compelled to invade Egypt in consequence flf Arabi Pasha's rebellion. At first, i the occupation was regarded as tcmpor. I ary, but the predominant position of Britain was formally recognised by France under the lAiiglo-French agreement which was signed on 18th April, 1904, the French, German, and other; Governments being assured that their commerce with Egypt should enjoy the most-favored nation treatment for thirty years. It is remarkable that Britain's entrance into Egypt as a protecting Power should have taken place while associated with France in a dual control, and that the consummation of that im-, portant step should be arrived at at a time when Britain was hand in hand ivith the same Power in a mighty war Against a common enemy, it was Lord Wolselev (then Sir Garnet) who was entrusted with the task of crushing the Arabi rebellion, and this distinguished widier accomplished the task thoroughly and effectually. From the time tliat British rule was first exercised in Egypt until the present the effects of that rnle have been remarkable, the good government having increased the prosperity of the people and restored confidence in Egyptian finance. Were it not for the blot caused by the sacrifice of General Gordon at Khartoum during the Mahdi's rebellion, the record of tlio English occupation would be one of glorious success, but that terrible blunder mars the otherwise splendid achievements under British rule. In IS9B, Lord Salisbury's Government decided on extending the Anglo-Egyptian rule over the Sudan, and a great expedition was sent' from Egypt under the command of Sir Herbert (now Lord) Kitchener to Khartoum. l'cw expeditions have been more elaborately organised, or have achieved a more brilliant success, and Khartoum became thenceforward the capital of the ! new province, which was placed under Lord Kitchener's rule. Soon after this friction was caused with France, owing to Major Marchand, who, at the head of a French exploring expedition, had hoisted the French ilag at Fashoda, on the Upper Nile, but after some ncgotia. tion, and some irritation, the French were withdrawn. Thenceforth the relations between Britain and France relative to Egypt were perfectly satisfactory, due in large measure to the praiseworthy administration of Lord Cromer, who, from ISB3 to 1907, occupied, with conspicuous ability and success, the position of British Agent in Egypt'. lie practically recreated Egypt, preserved a good understanding with France, and introduced a liberal spirit into a necessarily bureaucratic system, and maintained the union of Christians and Mohammedans in favor of steady progress, besides vastly increasing the cultivated area of the Sudan by means of artificial irriga. tion. According to Lord Cromer, tlio main fact to be recognised in dealing with everything connected with the government of Egypt was its vast size. The total area of Egypt proper, excluding the Sudan, is about 400,000 square miles, but the cultivated and settled area, that is the Nile Valley and Delta, covers only 12,013 square miles. The population, according to the 1907 census, was 11,287,000. In 1912 Egypt's Imports in. merchandise amounted to £E25,907,759 (£20,339,000), and her exports to £E34,074,321 (.€35,150,000). The bulk of her exports and imports were to and from Great Britain, British imports amounting to £E7,990,G58, against £E2,759,853 from Turkey, and £E2,411,425 from France, while Britain received £E10,022,31 S of Egyptian exports, against ,£E4,120,595 received by the United States, £E2,70(i,975 by France, and ,£E2,056,302 by Turkey. The bulk of the population is Mohammedan, the remainder being mostly Copts. When it is considered that some 7000 years back Egypt was in a high state of civilisation and culture, and i that Britain has only about 1000 years of real progress to boast of, it would seem a marvellous transformation for the land possessing such an ancient and glorious history to come under the, rule of the greatest and most civilised nation of modern times. The new protec- I torate is in every way to the advantage of the whole civilised world, if only that the Suez Canal may continue its useful function. There are, however, many other considerations which fully justify fche severance of Turkish suzerainty over Egypt, and the era of prosperity and progress that has marked the period of temporary occupation may now confidently be expected to be vitalised and extended. Prince Hussein, who has been appointed Sultan, appears to be impressed with the right spirit, and the future of modern Egypt should reflect additional honor upon the records of the ' British Empire. It is a pleasing circum. stance that New Zealand should have | been represented by its overseas army at the new Sultan's initiation, giving us as it does a personal interest in the land of