p. 293 | A. G. DANIELLS by Arthur G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 27, 1913

A. G. DANIELLS

By Arthur G. Daniells

Does the History of Turkey and Egypt Since 1798 Fulfil the Prophecy of Dan. 11:40-44? — No. 10

A. G. DANIELLS

Having traced the history of the French invasion and conquest of Egypt, “the king of the south,” as far as the limits of these articles will permit, we now take up the conflict that immediately followed between France and Turkey, “the king of the north.”

After stating that “at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him,” the prophecy turns from the king of the south to the king of the north, as follows:—

“And the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.” Dan. 11:40.

In previous articles it has been made clear that in 1798, “the time of the end,” Turkey was the power that ruled over the territory originally possessed by “the king of the north.” For this reason it is claimed that Turkey was at that time “the king of the north.” From the prophecy we understand that the war begun by France on Egypt in 1798 was to be extended to the Turkish Empire. We shall now give a brief outline of the history of that conflict:—

Turkey Declares War Against France

Sept. 4, 1798

“The tidings which reached Constantinople in July, 1798, that a French army, 30,000 strong, under the most celebrated general of the republic, had suddenly landed in Egypt and taken the city of Alexandria by storm, left the sultan no alternative. It was true that the Turkish authority in Egypt was little more than nominal; and that the Mamelukes, the real lords and tyrants over that country, were as deeply hated by the Sublime Porte as by the Copts and fellahs whom they oppressed. . . .

“An alliance was concluded between Turkey, Russia, and England, and war was solemnly declared against France [Sept. 4, 1798]. An Ottoman army and a fleet were forthwith ordered to be assembled at Rhodes, and another army was collected in Syria.”—“History of the Ottoman Turks,” by Sir Edward Creasy, Vol. II, chap. 10, pages 336, 337.

Alliance Between Turkey and Russia to Defeat France

“Bonaparte’s invasion of Egypt gave rise to an alliance between Russia and the Ottoman Porte. . . . The Russian fleet was admitted through the Dardanelles, was received with every mark of honor, and visited by the sultan in person. Outside the Straits it was joined by the Turkish fleet, and for the first, and perhaps the last, time the Russian flag waved in cordial union with the crescent. On the twentieth of September the combined fleets sailed for the archipelago, agreeably to instructions from Nelson, under whose command they were placed.

“The alliance between the czar and the Sublime Porte was definitively concluded by the treaty of Constantinople, Dec. 23, 1798.

“The coalition was consolidated by the treaty of St. Petersburg between Great Britain and Russia, Dec. 29, 1798.”—“History of Modern Europe,” by Dryer and Hassell, Vol. V, chap. 60, pages 282-284.

“The Russian fleet crowded down from the Black Sea, through the Bosporus, to the Golden Horn, where, amid the thunders of artillery, and the acclamations of the hundreds of thousands who throng the streets of Constantinople, Pera, and Scutari, it was received into the embrace of the Turkish squadron. It was indeed a gorgeous spectacle as, beneath the unclouded splendor of a September sun, this majestic armament swept through the beautiful scenery of the Hellespont. The shores of Europe and Asia, separated by this classic strait, were lined with admiring spectators, as the crescent and the cross, in friendly blending, fluttered together in the breeze. The combined squadron emerged into the Mediterranean, to coöperate with the victorious fleet of England, which was now the undisputed mistress of the sea. . . .

“The Grand Seignor had assembled an army of twenty thousand men at Rhodes. They were to be conveyed by the combined fleet to the shores of Egypt, and were there to effect a landing under cover of its guns. Another vast army was assembled in Syria, to march down upon the French by way of the desert, and attack them simultaneously with the forces sent by the fleet.”—“The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte,” by John S. C. Abbott, Vol. I, chap. 12, page 206.

The French Army Enters Syria

“It was designed that the Syrian army should cross the desert and attack the French in Egypt early in 1799, and that the armament from Rhodes should act simultaneously with it by landing 16,000 of the best Turkish troops under Mustapha Pasha at Aboukir. The activity of Napoleon disconcerted these projects. Instead of waiting to be thus assailed in Egypt, he anticipated his enemies by crossing the desert into Syria during the winter, and carrying offensive war into that important province.”—“History of the Ottoman Turks,” by Sir Edward Creasy, Vol. II, chap. 10, pages 337, 338.

“Bonaparte, on the eleventh of February, 1799, marched for Syria at the head of 16,000 picked men, with the intention of crushing the Turkish armament in that quarter, before their chief force (which he knew was assembling at Rhodes) should have time to reach Egypt by sea.”—“History of Ready Reference,” by J. N. Larned, Vol. II, page 1324.

“After a march of five days, they arrived before El Arish, one of those small, strongly fortified military towns, deformed by every aspect of poverty and wretchedness, with which iron despotism has filled the once fertile plains of Syria. El Arish was within the boundaries of Egypt. It had been captured by the Turks, and they had accumulated there immense magazines of military stores. It was the hour of midnight when Napoleon arrived beneath its walls. The Turks, not dreaming that a foe was near, were roused from sleep by the storm of balls and shells shaking the walls and crushing down through the roofs of their dwellings. They sprang to their guns, and, behind the ramparts of stone, fought with their accustomed bravery; but, after a short and bloody conflict, they were compelled to retire, and effected a disorderly retreat. . . . El Arish is in Egypt, eighteen miles from the granite pillars which mark the confines of Asia and Africa.”—“The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte,” by John S. C. Abbott, Vol. I, chap. 12, pages 209, 210.

“Pursuing his march, he took Gaza (that ancient city of the Philistines) without opposition; but at Jaffa (the Joppa of Holy Writ), the Turks made a resolute defense. The walls were carried by storm; 3,000 Turks died with arms in their hands, and the town was given up during three hours to the fury of the French soldiery, who never, as Napoleon confessed, availed themselves of the license of war more savagely than on this occasion.

“A part of the garrison—amounting, according to Bonaparte, to 1,200 men, but stated by others as nearly 3,000 in number—held out for some hours longer in the mosques and citadel; but at length, seeing no chance of rescue, grounded their arms (seventh March).”—“Life of the Emperor Napoleon,” by J. G. Lockhart, page 90.

In this account of the opening of the conflict between France and Turkey, we find three features worthy of notice:—

The time—1798, “at the time of the end.” It was in that year that Turkey declared war on France, and that Napoleon made his decision to immediately invade Turkey.

Many horsemen—the land forces brought together by Turkey in Syria, a “vast army,” says Abbott, and Alison describes it by “vast multitudes.” “As numerous, said the people of the country, as the stars of heaven and the sand of the sea,” is Napoleon’s description in his report to the directory of France; and he added, “Never have we seen so much cavalry [horsemen] prance, charge, maneuver in every direction.”

Many ships—Turkey’s navy, Russia’s Black Sea fleet, and England’s Mediterranean fleet united to convey to Egypt a Turkish army of 20,000 assembled at Rhodes.

These great forces were all bent on crushing Napoleon. The result will be given in our next number.