102 ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND EGYPT, 



the people ; that Egypt was sick of the European Control, and its 

 highly paid and incompetent Officials, and that they should be replaced 

 by Egyptians; in fact, he raised for the first time the cry, Egypt 

 for the Egyptians. 



In reply to this challenge, the British and French Governments at 

 once addressed to the Khedive an Identic Note, in which they 

 declared their determination, " to ward off, by their united efforts, all 

 causes of external or internal complications which might menace the 

 regime established in Egypt." In other words, they declared their 

 intention "to uphold the Joint Control, established for the benefit of the 

 bondholders." 



To this challenge the Chamber of Notables claimed the right of 

 regulating the National Budget, and relying on the support of their 

 Suzerain, the Sultan, they resented the interference of England 

 and France in the internal affairs of Egypt, and demanded the 

 abrogation of the Anglo-French Control, imposed upon Egypt in 

 1879. 



A deadlock now ensued. Cherif Pasha resigned, Arabi was ad- 

 vanced to the position of War Minister, under the administration of 

 Mahmoud Pasha, and thereupon the English and French Con- 

 trollers threatened to leave Cairo, accompanied by the Consuls, but 

 Sir Edward Malet, the English Consul-General, on being assured 

 that the New Government would faithfully observe all International 

 Obligations, the threat was not carried out. 



England and France were now alarmed, and Gambetta, First 

 Minister in France, urged on Lord Granville prompt means to stem 

 the tide of Independence and Revolt ; but whilst the English Govern- 

 ment were deliberating upon this proposal, the French Ministry 

 under Gambetta fell, and was replaced by M. De Freycinet, and 

 his policy being opposed to the former, the Chamber of Notables 

 hoped that the divergence of views would hasten their triumph. 



Arabi, practically, at this moment was Master of the Situation, for 

 he was not only backed by Constantinople, but by all political sec- 

 tions in Egypt itself, and the Khedive and his supporters were 

 powerless to act in opposition to his designs. 



On March 15th, Arabi was made a Pasha by order of the Sultan, 

 and 17 of his Officers who had supported him, were promoted to 

 the rank of Colonels, and these promotions in the Egyptian Army so 

 exasperated the Circassian Officers that, led by Osman Rifki, they 

 determined to assassinate Arabi, to overthrow Tewfik, and proclaim 

 Ismail, Khedivej but the plot was betrayed, and the instigators were 



