treated quite as a matter of everyday occurrence. A state of
war was apparently regarded as usual in Egypt. On this wise and sensible
ground the Egyptian Government were condemned to pay back LE500,000,
together with interest and costs. After a momentary hesitation as to
whether the hour had not come to join issue on the whole subject of
the financial restrictions of Egypt, it was decided to bow to this
iniquitous decision. The money had now to be refunded. It had already
been spent. More than that, other sums were needed for the carrying on
of the war. The army was by then occupying Dongola, and was in actual
expectation of a Dervish counter-attack, and it was evident that
the military operations could not be suspended or arrested. It was
impossible to stop; yet without money it seemed impossible to go on;
and, besides, it appeared that Egypt would be unable to repay the
LE500,000 which she had been granted, and of which she was now deprived.

Such was the painful and difficult situation which a friendly nation,
in the utmost exercise of her wit and the extreme compass of her legal
rights, had succeeded in producing in a country for whose welfare she
had always professed an exaggerated regard. Such was the effect of
French diplomacy. But there is a Nemesis that waits on international
malpractices, however cunning. Now, as before and since, the very
astuteness of the French Ministers and agents was to strike a terrible
blow at French interests and French influence in Egypt. At this period
France still exercised a considerable force on Egyptian politics. One
Egyptian party, the weaker, but still by no means insignificant, looked
towards her for support. The news of the French success cheered their
hearts and raised their spirits. Orientals appreciate results. The
result was a distinct reverse to the British. The conclusion to the
native mind was obvious. Great Britain had been weighed in the European
balances and found wanting. In all Eastern countries a large proportion
of the population fluctuates uncertainly, eager only to be on the
winning side. All this volume of agitation and opinion began to glide
and flow towards the stronger Power, and when the Egyptian Government
found their appeal from the decision of the Court of First Instance of
the Mixed Tribunals to the International Court of Appeal at Alexandria
quashed, and the original decision confirmed, the defeat of the British
was no less complete than the triumph o