'The Extraordinary Expenditure In Connection With The Soudan Campaign,'
Wrote Mr. J.L. Gorst, The Financial Adviser To The Khedive In His Note Of
December 20, 1898 [Note By The Financial Adviser On The Budget Of 1899:
EGYPT, No.
3, 1899], 'has been charged to the Special Reserve Fund.
At the present moment this fund shows a deficit of EP336,000, and there are
outstanding charges on account of the expedition amounting to EP330,000,
making a total deficit of EP666,000.'
'On the other hand, the fund will be increased, when the accounts
of the year are made up, by a sum of EP382,000, being the balance of
the share of the Government in the surplus of 1898, after deduction of
the excess administrative expenditure in that year, and by a sum of
EP90,000, being part of the proceeds of the sale of the Khedivial postal
steamers. The net deficit will, therefore, be EP194,000; and if the year
1899 is as prosperous as the present year, it may be hoped that the deficit
will disappear when the accounts of 1899 are closed.'
A great, though perhaps academic, issue remains: Was the war justified
by wisdom and by right?
If the reader will look at a map of the Nile system, he cannot fail
to be struck by its resemblance to a palm-tree. At the top the green and
fertile area of the Delta spreads like the graceful leaves and foliage.
The stem is perhaps a little twisted, for the Nile makes a vast bend
in flowing through the desert. South of Khartoum the likeness is again
perfect, and the roots of the tree begin to stretch deeply into the Soudan.
I can imagine no better illustration of the intimate and sympathetic
connection between Egypt and the southern provinces. The water - the life
of the Delta - is drawn from the Soudan, and passes along the channel of
the Nile, as the sap passes up the stem of the tree, to produce a fine crop
of fruit above. The benefit to Egypt is obvious; but Egypt does not benefit
alone. The advantages of the connection are mutual; for if the Soudan
is thus naturally and geographically an integral part of Egypt,
Egypt is no less essential to the development of the Soudan. Of what use
would the roots and the rich soil be, if the stem were severed, by which
alone their vital essence may find expression in the upper air?
Here, then, is a plain and honest reason for the River War.
To unite territories that could not indefinitely have continued divided;
to combine peoples whose future welfare is inseparably intermingled;
to collect energies which, concentrated, may promote a common interest;
to join together what could not improve apart - these are the objects which,
history will pronounce, have justified the enterprise.
The advantage to Great Britain is no less clear to those who believe
that our connection with Egypt, as with India, is in itself a source of
strength.
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