MR GLADSTONE AND EGYPT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6514, 3 October 1882, Page 5

MR GLADSTONE AND EGYPT.

THE VIEWS OP THE GOVERNMENT. In the House of Commons on August 10, Lord Elcho, in asking whether, before engaging in military operations, other than such as might be necessary for the defence of Alexandria, the protection ef the Khedive, and the security of the Suez Canal, the Government would endeavour to ascertain the true state of feeling of the Egyptian nation, moved the adjournment of the House to enable him to justify his question. He proceeded to say that he wished to get a clear and distinct declaration from the Premier as to whom we were at war with. Had we simply to deal with a mutinous colonel backed up by the army, wholly or in part, who were tyrannising over | the Egyptian people, or were we dealing with the leader of the National Party, supported by the people ? The noble Lord then referred to the support which Arabi Pasha had received from the Chamher of Notableß, as showing that popular feeling was with him, and observed that though it might be said that that body had acted under pressure, there was no evidence of their having been anything else than a free assembly; on the contrary, all the evidence indicated that their expression of opinion was the free expression of the opinion of free men.

Sir H. Wolfe seconded the motion for adjournment, and, assuming that Arabi Pasha would be suppressed, asked what, after that, was to be done ? Were we to retain the countTy indefinitely, or establish a popular Government, to enable Egypt to remain independent cf any foreign occupation. Mr. Gi-ADSTONE objected to raising a question of that kiud, as tending to spread the discussion over a much wider field than was expedient at that particular stage of the proceedings. Admiral Seymour had already conveyed to the Khedive assurances with regard to the objects of the military operations bo far as they were adapted to the earlier stage of matters, and he declined at present to enter on any definition of these objects, though he might go so far as to answer the inquiry whetheranindefinite ocunpationof Egypt was contemplated, by saying that undoubtedly of all things in the world that Mas a thing which he did not contemplate. It was at variance with all the views of the Government, with the pledges they had given to Europe, and with the views of Europe itself. As to the final arrangements to be made in Egypt, it would be inexpedient and premature to make any declaration on the subject, or anticipate results that must be arrived at under the intervention and authority of Europe. With reference to Avabi Pasha being the representative of Egyptian feeling, ho challenged the statement, and described Arabi's allies aa those who were the - c ■**-- j- r'" Wo ivqq Korrv that this discussion had been raised, tnougu uu u.u not anticipate any serious public mischief from it, but his reason for not anticipating mischief was that the mind of the people of England was pretty well made up on the rights and wrongs of the quarrel, and as to the justice of the cause which we had in hand. Of those who knew that Arabi had set aside the authority of the Notables, and of the large body of Europeans and British residents in Egypt, he believed there was not one, with the exception, perhaps, of Mr. Blount, who had the slightest idea, or did. not emphatically repudiate the idea, that Ar.ibi was the representative of the national feeling. The conclusions at which the Government had arrived, and were acting on, was that of Europe. Europe had met at Constantinople and with united voice declared that the power which had paralysed the authority of the Khedive in Egypt was an unlawful, rebellious, and mischievous power, and had appealed to the Sultan to put it down by force of arms. Surely, then, it was too late for a member of the British Parliament, when Europe had delivered its deliberate conclusion, to ask the question whether Arabi was or was not the representative of the Egyptian people ; and he held that the authority of the united voice of Europe absolved him from the necessity of entering iuto a minute discussion on, he would not say the gossip and tittle-tattle, but the figmeuta originating with Arabi at Cairo, and published by the newspapers. As to endeavouring to ascertain the true state of feeling of the Egyptian nation, the case did not admit of inquiry, but there was a mass of moral evidence supported by gentlemen of the highest character and from every quarter, unvaried and unbroken, that it was not with Arabi. In concluding, Mr. Gladstone said the Government were not making war against the people of Egypt, but were determined to put down thoso who were oppressing the people and contemning lawful authority, and who were engaged in maehinatious contrary to liberty, that had for their rcuult, if successful, the revival of the abominable abuses which had formerly disgraced the country. Sir G. Elliot readily endorsed everything the Prime Minister bad said, and hoped the House would strengthen the hands of the Government in carrying out their Egyptian policy. After some observations from Mr. O'Donnell, who challenged every statement the Premier had made, the motion for adjournment was negatived.