Egypt's Crisis | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 27, 1882

Egypt's Crisis.

THE trouble in Egypt may prove to be more than a crisis for that country. Fears are now entertained that it may culminate in a general European war, as it is impossible to tell to what extent the powers will act in harmony. It is stated that Russia is displaying more and more irritation at the course pursued by England, and it is by no means certain that Bismarck approves of it. The Sultan is trying to preserve his equilibrium between the two opposing forces. The English, after occupying Alexandria, were unable to pursue Arabi Bey into the interior, on account of a scarcity of men and provisions. These have now been provided, and an engagement will probably have taken place by the time this is read. The English force will number 14,000 men, and the credit proposed by Parliament, for carrying on the war, is £2,300,000, a sum which military men regard as insufficient.

A credit of 40,000,000 francs has been voted by the French cabinet for the Egyptian expedition, and the first body of troops has embarked.

Arabi Bey has levied a war tax upon land to the nominal amount of £500,000. He is well supplied with provisions and ammunition. Arabs are leaving Alexandria and flocking to Cairo, at his call. Refugees from Cairo report that a holy war is being proclaimed, and that Europeans are being massacred in Tantah, Mausural, and Zagozig. The Consul has been killed at the last-named place.

Rev. Dr. De Hass, formerly United States Consul in Turkey, is reported as holding the following views of the war, which, at the present outlook, do not seem to be far out of the way:—

He predicted that Arabi Bey would utterly fail in his ambitious projects, but he thought a religious war might break out that would spread over Asia, Africa, and Europe, for Arabi is in league with the new prophet, Senausi, and also with the Chereaf of Mecca, the spiritual head of the Mohammedan religion. In conclusion, he said: "One thing is certain: If this contest goes on, the Ottoman Empire falls. The Turks will be driven out of Europe, and the cross be planted again on the Mosque of St. Sophia."

Later news shows still greater complications. The Khedive has signed a decree dismissing Arabi from the army, and proclaiming him a rebel. He has forbidden the Egyptian army to obey orders from Arabi, and forbidden the Egyptians to pay him taxes.

In reply to the proclamation of the Khedive, Arabi appointed a Ministry of his own at Cairo. It is considered certain that he will destroy Cairo unless he is defeated and captured.