THE KHEDIVE AND THE CAIRO RIOTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 181, 10 June 1879, Page 2

THE KHEDIVE AND THE CAIRO RIOTS.

(Pall Mall Budget.) When we first heard of the riots at Cairo, wewero inclined to think them of small importance, Subsequent reports, however, and a littlo reflection thereon, somewhat modify our views. What is the probability that a military emeute should break out in Cairo, without some understanding thar it would be rather agreeable rhan otherwise to the Khedive himself, the lord of all things Egyptian? Roiting in the streets of Alexandria, ail outcry from the mixed population of that city, would have been comprehensible enough without deep inquiry. But a military riot in Cairo is quite another matter; and if it is suspected that the rioters believed with more or less reason that the Khedive would smile upon their proceedings, his Highness's general conduct and character certainly do not 'discountenance the suspicion. Nor do these reports of the Khedive's sallying out to disperso the mob do away with the suspicion by any means; while as for his declaration in the Council of Ministers that " he would not be answerablo for the public safety," or, as another report has it, that " he could not guarantee the continued tranquility of the Arab population," if Nubar Pasha remained in office, it is so ridiculous a figment as to place his whole conduct in the worst possible light. It is not only an absurdity but a threat; and a threat of extremo audacit. What it comes to is that it is quite easy for him, to whom every man in Egypt pays unquestionable obedience, to cast oil upon this little insurrectionary flame, and yet not aliow his hand to be seen; and that rioting may certainly be expected to spread unless he has his own way in the Council. Of course it is to the last degree absurd to talk of a spontaneous rising against Nubav Pasha; and the absurdity of it makes the Khedives language so significant, But whether he will bo allowed to introduce into Egypt the South American manner of influencing the conduct of affairs may be doubted, For ourselves, we are inclined to say positively that he will not be permitted to do so. If the Khedive had reason to be dissatisfied with Nubar Pasha—good reason, we moan—there could not_ have been much difficulty in displacing him in regular and orderly way. Tho presumption is that there. could have been no reason, or the Khedive would not have resorted to the extremely rough insinuations that if Nubar did not go he would abstain from using his own absolute authority in quelling a riot; abstinence being plain encouragement undor tho circumstances. _ It seems to us impossible but that this little episode should be sharply examined by the Governments of England and France, Those Governments can hardly insist, under any circumstances, upon the restoration of Nubar Pasha to office; but what they will insist upon without doubt isthat their own efforts to remedy the mis, chiefs of the Khedive's rule shall not be undone in this violent manner. And it seems only reasonable to anticipate that the Sultan may have something to say to his vassal on tho subject. It is rather too absurd for the Porte to bo calling out to the Governments of England and France for Commissioners to assist in settling its ' financial difficulties, while in Egypt similar officials are being terrorized by a mob which evidently supposes that its conduct pleases, and perhaps serves the Khedive.