Page:On the Desert - Recent Events in Egypt.djvu/34

20 But the best cause may be ruined by folly or by violence. If the National party had been what a party is in other countries — if it had limited itself to a firm, manly protest against abuses — it would have had the sympathy and support of all the friends of good government throughout Europe and in America. But they do not do things in that way in Egypt. There are no political parties such as exist in England and in America, which can give effect to public indignation. The Arabs do not understand our way of expressing discontent, by holding public meetings and passing resolutions. The only organized body is the army, so that a political movement, to carry any force with it, becomes almost of necessity a military movement. It is so much easier to make changes in the Mexican way, by a pronunciamento and a military demonstration, than by the slow process of petitioning and protesting. Why should they take this roundabout way of carrying out their win, when it was only necessary to march on the Palace? As the poor Khedive was wholly unsupported, he had nothing to do but to submit. The Anglo-French Controllers of course protested vigorously, but as they had not a soldier at their back, Arabi Bey, at the head of his regiments, laughed them to scorn.

This military remedy for the evils of the state, though at first it seemed quite Napoleonic, at last became wearisome, and Americans ceased to regard it with enthusiasm. The heroic treatment in disease sometimes cures, but not unfrequently kills; and so it might be with the unhappy state on which these army surgeons were making such terrible experiments. We began to suspect that these new leaders, who raised the cry of "Egypt for the Egyptians," meant only Egypt for themselves. They did not show such unselfish patriotism as listed them above the mass of their countrymen. They were just as full of intrigue, and just