THE EGYPTIAN QUESTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 1597, 1 July 1882, Page 10

THE EGYPTIAN QUESTION.

The following late cable messages in Melbourne papers give some fuller particulars of the excitement in Egypt and in Europe concerning the Egyptian question :—

(Special to Argtjs.)

The Khedive and Dervish Pasha, the Turkish Commissioner, suspecting revolutionary designs on the part of Arabi Pasha, the Minister of War and leader of the National party, have fled to Alexandria. Sir Edward B. Malet, the British Consul-general, received orders to accompany them. The disturbances in Egypt have raised some doubt concerning the security of the Suez route, and questions have been asked in Parliament as to the safety of the mails to Australia, India, and China, despatched through the canal.

The Khedive, yielding to the advice of the Russian, German, and Austrian consuls, has instructed Ragheb Pasha, who is known to be a creature of Arabi Pasha, to form a new Ministry.

A strong feeling of indignation is being aroused in England against the Gladstone Government owing to the manner in which they have treated the Egyptian difficulty. The number of lives lost during the late outbreak is greater than was at first reported. It is now estimated that 250 Europeans wore killed. Corpses are being washed ashore daily.

(Special to Age.)

London, June 13th. Arabi Pasha has threatened that in case of further European interference in the affairs of Egypt he will institute a national crusade against the European residents, and compel the expulsion of every foreigner from the country. Alarmed by these threats, and fearful of a repetition of the recent atrocities, thousands of the European residents are <(^gfparing to quit Egypt. W The more extreme members of the national party in Egypt make no secret of their desire to see the control of the Suez Canal solely vested in local hands. They openly threaten to seize upon the canal and' to put an end to all foreign ownership and interference in its control.

The intelligence received in London on this subject has created considerable consternation in mercantile circles. Sir Charles Dilke, the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, has been questioned on the matter in the House of Commons. He was, however, very guarded in his reply, and his reticence has created a very unfavourable impression. The Conservative party are greatly incensed against the Gladstone Ministry for accenting in good faith the pacific assurances of Arabi Pasha. They denounce the Nationalist leader as an unscrupulous adventurer, and consider the assurances he has given ,of peaceful intentions as simply a blind to cover his ambitious and revolutionary designs,