1897] Cromer's Interference with the Law 247 



Nothing so scandalous has happened here since the Kitchener affair, 

 and this is really worse, as it is an attack on 'the integrity of the law. 

 Carton de Wiart, the Belgian lawyer, who is at the head of his pro- 

 fession here, confirms the story to me, and there seems to be no doubt 

 about it. Abdu declares tha't Lord Cromer is led by the nose by 

 certain Syrians, of whom the editor of the ' Mokattam ' and one Shakur 

 are the principal agents. Certainly he appears to be under unfortu- 

 nate inspiration. It has become very much a personal struggle and 

 quarrel be'tween Cromer and the Khedive. Lord Salisbury allows 

 Cromer to carry matters with a high hand. The Khedive, on the 

 other hand, is also led by intriguers, so that there is really no rational 

 authority at the head of things." This was the beginning of Lord 

 Cromer's interference wi'th the operation of the law in Egypt for politi- 

 cal purposes, an intervention which he carried afterwards to extreme 

 results. 



" 28th Jan., 1897. — - 1 am preparing for a long journey to Siwah, and 

 perhaps to Jebel Akdar and Benghazi. This should take forty days at 

 least, and there is just a little risk in i't, especially as I am far from 

 well, but it is a thing I want to do and I feel if I put it off till another 

 year it will never be accomplished. Possibly I may be able to go as 

 far as to visi't the Sheykh el Senussi, but this is doubtful, as the Sheykh 

 has disappeared within the last year, and it is not known exactly where 

 he is, but I shall learn all about that from my friend Abdullah el Jibali, 

 in the Fayoum, to whom, in the first instance, I intend to go. I hope 

 all the same to accomplish my journey successfully and be back in 

 time for our annual migration to England. 



" 2nd Feb. — I have arranged to start on my journey on the 5th, 

 having by good luck met Abdullah el Jibali yes'terday, when I was in 

 Caaro, and have arranged that he is to send me on to Siwah and 

 Benghazi. I am looking forward immensely to this trip, and only wish 

 Anne was going with me, but she will not leave Judith, so I must go 

 alone. There is just a little danger in the journey, principally of my 

 falling ill, so I have signed a codicil 'to my will. All my preparations 

 are made, and I am away on Friday with a good prospect of getting 

 through to Tripoli or Benghazi. If only Anne were going too!" 



The journey to Siwah proved much more difficult and dangerous 

 than I imagined, and is of sufficient political interest to make me include 

 the whole of my travelling diary in 'this volume contrary to my general 

 rule about desert expeditions. I started in ill health and in a frame 

 of mind of unusual recklessness and depression as well, feeling that 

 it would be the last I should make of any serious kind. I had, too, at 

 the back of my mind, the 'thought that perhaps I might find among the 

 Senussis something of the better- tradition of Islam I had been so often 

 disappointed of in the more civilized Mohammedan lands, and possibly 



