ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND EGYPT. II7 



The Noble Marquis then indicated the general character of the 

 Convention, the ratification of which by the Sultan, Europe, he 

 declared, was anxiously awaiting, and the following were its main 

 provisions : — \ 



(i) The neutralization of the Suez Canal, in accordance with previous declarations 

 of Lord Granville, that the Canal shall be absolutely free to all nations, and at all 

 times. 



(2) The withdrawal of British troops from Egypt, subject to certain conditions, in 

 three years from date of ratification of Convention, and at the end of five years, the 

 right of England to appoint officers for the Egyptian Army, to cease. 



(3) The conditions referred to are : 



If there is any internal or external danger in Egypt, when the time for the 

 evacuation arrives, the withdrawal of the British troops to be postponed 

 until that danger is removed. 



(4) After evacuation, England to have the right to send troops to Egypt, in the 

 event of two contingencies arising, 



(i) Danger of internal or external disturbance of order. 

 (2) Egypt not fulfilling her International obligations. 



(5) The Sultan, to have equal rights with England for sending troops to Egypt for 

 its general pacification. 



(6) No other Nation to have any right to send troops into Egypt. 



In addition to these six provisions, there are annexes to the Con- 

 vention, dealing with the capitulations, the mixed tribunals, the 

 passage of foreign troops through Egypt in time of war, (should the 

 Suez Canal be interrupted), also on the subject of military and 

 financial reorganisation, and on railways. 



Unfortunately the Governments of France and Russia, showed 

 resistance to the ratification of this Anglo-Turkish Convention. 



The first official announcement to the Sultan of this resistance by 

 France and Russia, was made on June 9th, and energetically made, 

 at Constantinople, by the Russian Minister, M. Nelidofif, and by the 

 French Minister, M. Montebello, on the ground, as stated at the 

 time of its being an infringement of the Sultan's Sovereign rights in 



Egypt. 



The despatch of the French Government, signed by M. Montebello, 

 under date 27th June, 1887, declared that : 



" The French Government protests in the most energetic manner, against the Con- 

 vention, which is not only contrary to the political interests of France, and the " Balance 

 of Power " in the Mediterranean, but is also subversive of the authority of the Sultan 



in Egypt." ^ .^ . , 



" The French Government will do all in their power to prevent the ratification of 



the Convention." 



"In the event of the Sultan rejecting the Convention, France engages to give 

 Turkey support, whatever may be the consequences. In the event of the Sultan 

 ratifying the Convention, France will take every means to safeguard her interests." 



