REAL CAUSE OF THE INSURRECTION. 1 5

probably send back the family and the heir of the Sultan of Darfur.

If subsidized by the government and sent back with Sir Samuel Baker, he would not have much difficulty in regaining possession

of the kingdom of Darfur, which was formerly one of the best governed of African countries. As regards Abyssinia, the old

warning should not be lost sight of — 'Put not your trust in princes;' and place no reliance upon the King of Abyssinia, at least outside

his own country. Zoula and Bogos might be ceded to him with

advantage, and the free right of entry by the port of Massowa might be added; but it would be a mistake to give him possession of Massowa, which he would ruin. A commission might also be sent down with advantage to examine the state of things in

Harrar, opposite Aden, and see what iniquities are going on there, as also at Berbera and Zeila. By these means, and by the adoption of a steady, consistent policy at headquarters, it would

be possible — not to say easy — to re-establish the authority of the khedive between the Red Sea and Sennar.

As to the cost of the Soudan, it is a mistake to suppose that

it will necessarily be a charge on the Egyptian exchequer. It

will cost two millions to relieve the garrisons and to quell the

revolt; but that expenditure must be incurred any way; and in all

probability, if the garrisons are handed over to be massacred and

the country evacuated, the ultimate expenditure would exceed that sum. At first, until the country is pacified, the Soudan will need

a subsidy of ,£200,000 a year from Egypt That, however, would be temporary. During the last years of my administration the

Soudan involved no charge upon the Egyptian exchequer. The

bad provinces were balanced against the good, and an equilibrium was established. The Soudan will never be a source of revenue

to Egypt, but it need not be a source of expense. That deficits

have arisen, and that the present disaster has occurred, is entirely

attributable to a single cause — and that is the grossest misgovern- ment.

The cause of the rising in the Soudan is the cause of all

popular risings against Turkish rule wherever they have occurred.

No one who has been in a Turkish province and has witnessed