1 84 EGYPT AND THE SOUDAN.

liabilities of 1SS1, 1882, and 1883, including; the cost of necessary works of irrigation; and the estimates of 1884 showed a further deficit of above ,£500,000. The assigned revenues, over which the o-overnment had no control, showed a probable surplus in 1884 of ,£400,000.

To raise the sum of £"8,000,000 would require an amendment of the law of liquidation with the consent of the great powers and of the sultan. A careful and elaborate report was therefore ordered to be drawn up by Sir Evelyn Baring, Sir R. E. Welby, Sir C. Rivers Wilson, and Sir J. Carmichael, and this financial statement was sent to the great powers on the 2 2d of April, with a circular despatch, inviting them to a conference in London for the purpose of arranging the financial system of Egypt, and providing for present and future demands. The intimation sent to France elicited a prompt and friendly reply from the French government, which had been officially silent on Egyptian affairs since the abolition of the dual control. It now frankly said that the abolition of that control would not be further contested, and invited the British government to explain its plans for the pacification and future government of Egypt. There is no need to follow the somewhat tedious proceedings of the conference which met, but could come to no complete conclusion, and separated without having definitely effected any improvement or adopted any scheme. The actual result was that the British government had to grapple with the situation, since it became a part of the duty that had devolved on them because of the occupation of the Nile by British troops, before the close of the discussions. France was unable or unwilling to agree to the financial proposals made by England, and there seemed to be little or no probability of the representatives of the powers coming to an understanding, and therefore the conference separated; the British government regained its liberty of action, and the ministry resolved to send Lord Northbrook to Egypt as High Commissioner to inquire into the financial condition of the country, and form a scheme drawn up as an official report to the government. At the same time (on the 5th of August) a vote of credit for £"300,000 was obtained by the