JOTTINGS FROM TURKEY AND EGYPT.
By H. P. Holser
(From our own correspondent.) It would seem as though Turkey were taking lessons from Russia in its censorship of the press and treatment of subjects suspected, or reported to be hostile to the government. Books and papers which speak unfavorably of the government or country (and if they simply state facts they cannot do otherwise) are excluded. This has made it difficult for libraries and schools to secure text and reference books, the only way possible being to have them sent singly, through the mails; but now, in places, the mails are examined, and even private letters of foreigners are sometimes opened. Some American consuls complain that some of their letters never reach them. In some parts, where there is considerable Armenian travel, the inspection of travelers is very close. In Cilicia, for example, in addition to the usual customhouse search, everyone is subject to a special police examination, when his entire person down to the shoes are searched, and all printed matter and writing, including diary, private letters, and even scraps of paper no more than an inch square, are taken to be scrutinized. This is because of the fear which the government has of the Armenians. With half a pretext or chance for gaining their national liberty, the Armenians would rise like one man. Alone, they can do nothing; but what the government fears is foreign help. The Armenians have practically no part in the government offices, are not allowed to become soldiers, and are stripped of their arms. Thus every chance for organization or preparation for a revolt being cut off at home, they have taken to emigration, and in foreign lands print patriotic papers and books which are freely sent to their countrymen in Turkey; and it is even reported that they resort to military drilling in the foreign lands. Fearing the influence and final result of this, the Turkish Government has prohibited the emigration of Armenians; yet many of them succeed in stealing away. The conduct of the Turk is such that one can plainly see that he fears something very much; he seems to be in a state of trembling for his existence; what he seems to dread most of all is to have anybody speak of his end. Here is an illustration in point: Last summer, a French journal spoke about the falling of the stars as a sign of the end, in order to ridicule the idea and make sport of religion. An Armenian paper of Constantinople, thinking the article a cute one, copied it. Now, the place which the sultan occupies most of the year is located in a quarter of the city called “the star,” and when the Armenian paper printed the article mentioning the falling of the stars as a sign of the end, the Turks took it as meaning the fall of the sultan’s palace and the end of his empire, and promptly suppressed the paper forever, and imposed a heavy fine on its proprietor. The fear of the Turk is further evinced by the fact that even in religious tracts and papers all such words as war, victory, conquest, etc., are not allowed. The people also find it difficult to get permission to print spiritual songs, as they usually have so many expressions of the triumph and victories over sin. Few countries contain such a heterogeneous mass of religions and peoples as the Ottoman Empire; and the government is not such as to weld them together. While the chief trait of the Turk seems to be laziness and indifference to the development of the resources of his country, some of the races in his empire, such as the Armenians, Greeks, Syrians, etc., are intelligent, progressive people, who would welcome the coming of almost any civilized nation to take the place of the Turk. In the Levant, the chief trade and steps towards improvement are carried on by foreigners. Nearly all the shipping is in the hands of the English, French, Russians, and Austrians; but the French seem to have the preference; with the people of the Levant, there seems to be more affinity for the French and their language than any other people; and the impression of many is that the French possession of the Levant is only a question of time. The prospect for this seemed to be brightened by the recent alliance between France and Russia, and as the latter has such dominant hold on Turkey and is in possession of most places of special interest to the Christian in Palestine. Thus not only the student of prophecy, but the Turk and people of the Levant, are looking for important changes. Passing down to Egypt, we have another bone of contention, of much the same nature. The French greatly lament their fatal blunder in 1882, and the Alexandrian riot, which furnished England with a pretext for establishing her protectorate over Egypt. The French claim that the neutrality of the Suez Canal would be assured without the English occupation of Egypt, and that the khedive, a youth of twenty, is capable of taking the reins of government in his own hands. They profess to see in him all the qualities of a wise ruler. The French also claim that they have done everything for Egypt that has been done to help the country, and hence by right they should have the first place there, as in times past. Feeling thus, they lose no opportunity to fan the flame of discord between the English and the native rulers. They also claim that the control of Egypt is of more value and importance than any other portion of all Africa. It is not only the neutrality of the Suez Canal, but Alexandria has ever been the natural mart between the Levant and the West, and Egypt one of the granaries of Europe. The French do not profess the desire to occupy Egypt, but what they claim to want is the controlling influence in her commerce and the development of her resources. They also claim that there has been practically nothing done for the good of the country since the British occupation. Of course all the flatteries and connivancies of France are not without effect on Egypt, and the result is frequent threats of a break between the khedive and his British regents. England is not slow to see the importance of maintaining her supremacy in Egypt, and hence is not easily convinced that the time has come to make the proper evacuation; nor is it at all likely that she will be convinced very soon. It is quite apparent, however, that Egypt shows a decided preference for the French people and language, and foster their aid against England. As the young khedive grows older and gains more experience, and becomes puffed up by the flatteries of France, he will doubtless take decided steps for the freedom of himself and country. While the bone of contention is nominally the independence of Egypt, the real question is between France and England for supremacy in the East. The new cabinet just formed is greeted by England as one that will tend to establish more amicable relations between the English and the khedive and operate against French encroachments. It will not be at all surprising if serious trouble yet grows out of the question of British occupation. What turn events will take would be difficult to forecast, but it is not difficult to see that trouble is brewing, and that relations exist in the East which may any day bring the nations of Europe into conflict. H. P. HOLSER.
Alexandria, April 23.