SERIOUS SITUATION IN EGYPT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13278, 10 September 1906, Page 6

SERIOUS SITUATION IN EGYPT.

ISLAM ANT) THE BRITISH.

A STRIKING LETTER.

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.

London, August 3.. In a recent letter I quoted some- rather, startling and distinctly ominous utterances of Sir Edward Grey, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, with reference to the state of affairs in Egypt. During the past fortnight matters have developed very markedly, and a situation has arisen which cannot be contemplated with entire equanimity. Lord Cromer, in a most interesting and indeed momentous State paper just issued, says: " From an historical point of view, those unacquainted with the Oriental character might very probably find it a matter for surprise that the Turkish name, or the prospect of reverting in any degree to a, Turkish regime, should inspire in Egypt any sentiment but that of fear. From the conquest of that country by the Sultan Selim I. up to the time of Mehemei Ali Pasha, Turkish role in Egypt was characterised by oppressive cruelty, and by a complete disregard for the interests of the people themselves. It must, however, be remembered that nearly a century has elapsed since the time when Egypt was ruled directly from Constantinople. None now living can speak from personal experience of the system of government which prevailed during that period ; but few can remember to have heard an account ot that system from their fathers, whilst none who are less than from 30 to 40 years old, can speak from ]>ersoual experience of the abuses which occurred prior to the inauguration of the reforms undertaken on the accession of the Khedive Tcwfik. 'A generation is now growing up which has been born under happier auspices, and in the enjoyment of a more enlightened Administration. The young niea of this generation, who will soon' constitute the leading class in the country, are very prone to regard these traditions as pure inventions, or, at least, as malicious exaggerations, spread abroad from interested motives. Under these circumstances, Turkish rule appears to them in a very false light." But Lord Cromer appends a remarkable letter sent to him by an anonymous correspondent, which is believed to reflect very fairly the feelings of the average Egyptian. The writer says: —

•' I, who write these lines in the name of ' All the People of Egypt,' am not a statesman or a man of great name; my person and my dwelling are alike unknown to you, but I 'feel constrained to stand on my feet and say the truth, as I think God has put it into my heart. At the head of this letter I call you by the name of ' The Reformer of Egypt,' and by this name you are known between the seas and the deserts. Ho must bo blind who sees not what the English have wrought in Egypt; the gates of justice stand open to the poor; the streams flow through the land, and are not stopped at the order of the strong; the poor man is lifted up and the rich man pulled down; the hand of the oppressor and the briber is struck when outstretched to do evil. Our eyes see these things, and we know from whom they come. "You will say, 'Bo thankful, oh, men of i Egypt! and bless those who, benefit you;' ; and very many of us are thankful. . But thanks lie on the surface of the heart, and beneath is a deep well. While peace is in the laud the spirit of Islam sleeps.. We hear the Imam cry out in the mosque; against the unbelievers, but his words pass by like wind and are lost. Children hear, them for the first time and do not under- : stand them; old men have heard them from •. childhood, and pay no heed. But it is"; said, 'There is : 'war between*''-"' Eng-:' land and Abdul-Hamid Khan.' If that be so, a change must come. As men we do not love the sons of Osman; the children at the breast know their works, and .that they have trodden down the Egyptians like dry reede. But as Moslems they are our brethren; the Caliph holds the sacred places and the noble relics. Though the Caliph were hapless as Bayezid, cruel as Mural, or mad as Ibrahim, he is the shadow of God, and every Moslem must leap up at his cuill as the willing servant to his mastor, though the wolf may devour his child while he does his master's work. If it be war, bo sure that he who has a sword will draw it, he who has a club will strike with it;.' The women will cry from the housetops, ' God, give victory to Islam !' " Seeing that the Turkish Sultan, " Abdul the Damned," is at present representative of the Moslem Caliph, the situation as thus set forth by a friendly hand is the reverse of reassuring.