English Diplomacy in Egypt.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 5476, 6 February 1885, Page 2

English Diplomacy in Egypt.

Italian activity in the Red Sea has at last boon explained satisfactorily, if not authoritatively, by tho statement which wo publish to-day, to^the effect that an agreement has. boon arrived at between England and Italy, under whioh tho latter Power is to assist in tho subjugation and control of the Soudan, Tho socuring of the Italian alliance in Egyptian affairs is a perfect master-stroke of diplomacy on the part of Mr Gladstone's Government, and is a complete answer to the vulgar Tory taunt that Liberal Ministors always make a moss of foreign affairs. They will of course now nvor that this policy will alionato Franco; but Anglo-Froneh agreemont has always been a matter of conventonco rather than of sympathy and interest, and our Gallic friends have generally boon in tho most conciliatory mood after they had boon well beaten in tho bnttlo-ficld r.r in tho arona of diplomacy. Nothing but good can therefore bo oxpectod to flow from tho Anfjlo-Italian agreomont with regard to the Soudan, It is a complete counter-movo to French intriguo-i in Ej;ypt. Despite Victor Hugo's sontimont that " tho Italians aro French, and tho French Italians," the two nations aro intensely jealous of each other in tlio mattor of lnfiuonco in tho Mediterranean, and tho immense impetus which Italian intorests will recoivo by England's assistance will show Frenchmen what they havo lost by their joalous and shortsighted opposition to English projocU in Egypt. Italy has moro commercial interests in Egypt and tho Rod Sea than Franco has, and no valid objection can be taken to hor sharing with England in guaranteeing tho tranquility of that country and tho froo navigation of the Suez Canal. This explanation puts a completely different complexion upon tho movements of Italy in the Rod Sou, which havo evidently not boon so much of tho nature of annexation as of occupation. Tho occupation by Italy of Massowah and Suakim will not by any meann imply that Italian rulo is to bs established in those ports, but rather that tho British guarantee of tranquility and freodom for commerce is strengthened by tho joint action of Italy. At a time when alarm has been aroused because of tho fancied inadequacy of tho British fleet, this allianco with a groat maritime power like Italy, possessing tho largest lroncljßjJw tho world, should prove popular in En^pO, and help to rostoro tho nonso of security which was rulllod by tho possibility of a Franco-Italian alliance. /s wo havo before remarked, Turkish protests against Italian action in the Red Sea would oount for vory littlo in any event j but whon Italy is backed by Groat Britain, even the Sultan's advisors must sco that protest is useless.