ENGLAND'S POLICY IN EGYPT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4342, 24 March 1882, Page 3

ENGLAND'S POLICY IN EGYPT.

The full text of the Collective Note addrossed by England and France to the Government of tho Khedive has been published in Hgypt. It is an emphatic warning, remarks an English newspaper, addressed to all whom it may concern, of what would happen in tho event of such external or internal complications arising as might monuce the regime established in Egypt. Itangere of this kind, we are lol<i, would find England and France unitod to fuce them. It is to be hoped that this plain declaration will suffice. The tranquility of Egypt, as it is easy to see, might bo tb.reator.ed by dangers of two kinds. A fresh move of the so-called National party, secure of tho sympathy of the army,-might paralyse tho Government of tho country and produco internal anarchy. Tho ather dunger is external, and cornea from tho known desire of the Sultan to recover his authority in Egypt. The dreams of Abdul Hamid in regard to North Africa tiro by no moaas confined to Egypt. Tho Pan-Islamic revival, on which he is constantly brooding, is to embrace a far widor area. But a beginning may bo made in Egypt, it is thought, and it U in Egypt that the intrigues of tho Forte havo been most active of late. Of course, theso two dangers, internal and oxtcrnal, aro not entirely independent of each other. The greater tho domestic difficulties in which the Khedive finds himself involved, tho moro distant tho prospect of effective European assistance, tho more inolined ho would be to listen to tho interested blandishments of the Sultan. It is natural that ho should bo tompted to play off tho authority of tbe Sultan against his own robeliious subjects and mutinous army. But to noithor of thoie alternative, or rather correlative, dangers could England and Franca romain indifferent. Their interest lies, as tho Collective Note save, in tho maintenance of order and tho development of the general prosperity of Egypt, and for those objects they consider the continuance oi" tho Khedive in his prosent position of virtual independence aa being at present, and in the future the only possible guarantee. It is impossible not to sco that this significant declaration is as plainly directed against the intrigues of the Porto as Lord Granvillo's former despatch was directed against internal anarohy in Egypt. It is a warning to tho Sultan not to interfere in Egypt, and to tho Khedive not to encourage his interference ; and at tbe same timo it is a conditional promise to the Khortivo »W. his aidhorfty will bo supported so long aa ho i» loyal to his engagements.