EUROPEAN GOVERNORS REQUIRED. 211 If there were European Grovernors working in concert, and in sufficient number to exercise an efficient supervision over the whole territory, there would be no excuse for such abuses ; and the minor officials would not be able to connive at the passage of slave caravans, as they do at present, for the sake of the blackmail which the slave-dealer is quite willing to pay, and which now is a source of considerable profit.

Before condemning too severely the venality of these lower officials, it should be remembered that those higher in authority have another and very cogent reason for permitting the continuance of the slave razzias.

By far the larger part of the Egyptian army consists of so-cajled liberated slaves ; and where could these be obtained, were no slave caravans " captured " to provide the raw material ? The necessity for such a large army is not at all obvious, for the duty of the Egyptian troops ought to be simply the maintenance of order throughout the country. An army of aggression cannot be needed, and the only reason for an army of defence is the fear of Abyssinian invasion. This can be avoided by acceding to the just demand of King Johannis for a sea border and a seaport town. If any one has a right to Massowah, it is the English ; for the whole coast belonged formerly to Abyssinia ; and it was only on the conclusion of our Abyssinian camp 2