Practically there is not any opposition in Parliament to the present Egyptian war, and, consequently, the vote of credit for two million three hundred thousand pounds, required for strengthening forces in Egypt, was agreed to by 275 to 19. The Secretary of State for War, after consultation with Sir Garnet Wolseley and other competent authorities, believing that sum to be sufficient for three months' campaign; and it is not expected that the task of crushing Arabi Pasha will take longer than the time specified. On the other hand, should the calculation prove below the mark, the Government may easily appeal to the House of Commons for more funds. Besides thoroughly suppressing the present rebellion against the Khedive, England will take care that Egypt shall cease to be a military power except for the defence of her own borders. An Egyptian army has been the prolific source of native troubles for many years past. Such elaborate precautions have been taken for the safety and comfort of the troops, that the expedition is being forwarded without a hitch. England will be able to put forty thousand men into the field, leaving an adequate reserve behind. Without being coddled, the troops are to be made very comfortable. In sickness and in health their welfare will be looked after with an almost tender solicitude, which was unknown to the ragged, shoeless, patriot hordes with whom Bonaparte conquered Egypt under the Directory. Sanitation has not been neglected. The wounded will find in the hospitals most of the comforts of home, and the soldiers on active duty are to have the right kind of clothing for a hot climate, and tents of the latest and best pattern. An adequate amount of regimental transport will accompany every regiment, and all ranks have been carefully considered on paper. So apparently convinced are the Government of being able to get through the business within the time mentioned, that the changes in command at home and in the Intelligence Department are to be only of a temporary nature. Before the first fall of snow in the Midlands of England Mr. Childers expects that the troops may return home, their work finished and complete. This is a comparatively cheerful view of the situation, which the country will earnestly hope may be warranted by events. For five weeks past, the heads of the War Office, civil and military, have worked night and day to put the little army on the best possible footing. Nothing appears to have been neglected that could conduce to the comfort of all concerned. Even now there will be no undue haste; and whenever a regiment is sent off everything will be spick and span and in perfect order, from the more elaborate needs and requirements of the colonel to the buttons on the tunic of the smallest drummer boy. Now-a-days we provide our armies and we 'fight by the card.' Assuredly if all the arrangements of the proposed Egyptian campaign work as smoothly as Mr. Childers hopes and expects the English army will march to victory gaily and gladly, well clothed and well fed, along a level plain to glory, and by roads strewn with creature comforts.
