OCR Text |
Show THE FIGHT FOR EGYPT. The Egyptian imbroglio has assumed the aspect, if not the proportions of a costly struggle. Since the memorable sea fight of Trafalgar, Egypt has existed only as a semi-independent power. It has oftimes assumed the airs of sovereignty, and outwitted or defied the Turks, to whom they have borne allegiance. Egypt today is in the position of the home for which the powers are contending; the chief advantage expected to be derived from the present conflict is the control of the Suez Canal, the highway to India. England, master of the world's commerce, owns the most important points in passing to her far-off possessions, and naturally desires that the route her ships take shall in no way be impeded. Europeans generally think it would be wise to take away control over Egypt from the hands of the Turk, and we believe the powers interested will not be slow in taking advantage of anything which may offer to effect this. Arabi Pasha and his followers, on the other hand, would like to make Egypt an independent nation, but with the force that will shortly be hurled against them, they will no doubt have to succumb to the inevitable. The war will in some measure upset the eastern trade, but we have no anticipation of the struggles being otherwise than transitory. |