p. 5 | A. G. DANIELLS by A. G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 30, 1914

A. G. DANIELLS

By A. G. Daniells

Does the History of Turkey and Egypt Since 1798 Fulfill the Prophecy of Dan. 11: 40-44?—No. 25

A. G. DANIELLS

THE ultimatum of Turkey and the powers was placed in the hands of Mehemet Ali, pasha of Egypt, Aug. 17, 1840. He was given ten days in which to reply. Counting the day on which he received the ultimatum, the tenth day would fall on the twenty-sixth. The steps taken on that day by the representatives of the powers are reported by the correspondent of the London Times as follows:—

'In the morning of the twenty-fifth, M. Laurin and Colonel Hodges waited on the viceroy (Mehemet Ali). They advised him to yield, as the period of ten days granted by the treaty was about to expire; but they found the pasha immovably fixed in his resolution to resist.'

'On the morning of the twenty-sixth the Austrian, Russian, English, and Prussian consuls again formally presented themselves to Mehemet Ali, with Rifat Bey, to propose the liberation of the Turkish fleet, and that he should cede Syria, with the exception of the pashalic of Sayde (Saint-Jean d'Acre), the interval of ten days having elapsed since Rifat Bey had announced to him the treaty signed at London on the fifteenth of July. The pasha witnessed their approach from the window of his palace. . . . When they entered the hall of audience, Mehemet Ali caused coffee to be served, and then addressed them thus:—

''I know why you are come here, gentlemen; but I have already told you my mind on this business, and I have no other answer to give.'

'On the English consul's wishing to engage him in a conference, he said, 'I beg you will not speak to me any more on the subject.'—The Times (London), Friday, Sept. 11, 1840.

The real attitude of Mehemet Ali is given by the correspondent in another letter to the Times, in which he gives the following statement made by Mehemet Ali:—

Statement by Mehemet Ali

'An unjust and violent treaty has been entered into against me. I will not attack those who signed it. I shall remain patient and moderate, but I will shed the last drop of my blood in order to preserve the empire which I have founded. . . .

'I am the representative of Islamism. I will proclaim the holy war, and every good Mussulman will range himself on my side. They think to frighten me by a coalition of the four powers. I shall know how to dissolve it by marching on Constantinople. I will light such a fire as that Europe will have enough to do to mind her own affairs, and the Ottoman Empire will be saved. Whatever happens, I shall have done my duty, and I submit to the will of God.'—From Mehemet Ali's statement to M. de Walewski, published in the Times (London), Sept. 8, 1840.

Mehemet Ali's refusal on the tenth day to accept the terms of the ultimatum closed the offer of the pashalic of Saint-Jean d'Acre and the southern part of Syria for life. The ultimatum gave him ten days more in which to consider the offer of the hereditary rule of Egypt. This period of ten days would terminate September 5. The outcome was reported to the Times:—

'ALEXANDRIA, Sept. 6, 1840.—Yesterday the pasha's second and final reply to the ultimatum of the four powers was received. It is professedly acquiescent, but virtually and practically a refusal to yield to their demand.

'Rifat Bey, Mr. Alison, the four consuls, etc., waited on him at the palace at ten o'clock in the morning, to receive the formal reply demanded by their governments at the end of the second ten days, involving the fate of Egypt, and that of Mehemet Ali himself. He was not visible (being still very unwell . . .), and his reply was delivered by his minister and secretary, Boghos Bey and Sami Bey.

'It amounted to this, that he accepted the hereditary pashalic of Egypt, and had forwarded a petition to Constantinople last Sunday, by Count Walewski, to be permitted to hold the pashalic of Syria for life. . . .

'Further, that until he had received the sultan's reply, he refused to attend to the request of the great powers either to give his master's fleet into their hands or to surrender an inch of ground on the coasts of Syria.'—The Times (London), Sept. 28, 1840.

This closed all negotiations with Mehemet Ali. The representatives of these powers received instructions to quit Egypt, which they did as reported by the Times correspondent:—

'ALEXANDRIA, Sept. 24, 1840.—The consuls general of England, Russia, Prussia, and Austria, and suites, embarked yesterday afternoon (September 23) in pursuance of their orders, on board the Tuscan steamer for Constantinople, having first presented themselves at the palace to communicate le fait accompli of their own removal and the formal annunciation of that of the pasha to follow. . . .

'The consuls then returned, pulled down their flags, bade adieu to their compatriots, and put off to the steamer 'Ferdinand.'

'After the departure of the four consuls general, on the 23d ult., the pasha issued orders to both fleets to prepare for active operations and get ready to put to sea.'—The Times (London), Oct. 17, 1840.

Mehemet Ali's response to the departure of the consul general was reported as follows:—

'CAIRO, Oct. 3, 1840.—After the sudden departure of the four consuls general from Alexandria, the authorities of Cairo were ordered by the viceroy to enjoin the vice consuls of the same powers to strike their flags, and quit the city in twenty-four hours.'—The Times (London), Oct. 28, 1840.