EGYPT UNDER LIQUIDATION. , 231 holding as he did, though in a less extravagant form, his father s conviction that the Khedive was by right the absolute ruler of Egypt — he may have feared Nubar s avowed policy of extending the jurisdiction of the International courts to natives. It is certain, also,-that he had a personal prejudice against Nubar as being at once a Christian and a reformer. Anyhow, he determined to dispense with the services of the one statesman who might have been able to modify the authority of the Dual Control, which, in the interval between the. deposition of the Khedive and the British occupation, directed the administration of Egypt. The French Government selected as their Controller M. de Blignieres, who had — held the Ministry of Public Works in the Anglo-French Ministry. It was universally expected in Cairo that his late . colleague, Mr. Rivers Wilson, would also be selected as the representative of Great Britain. This expectation, however, was not fulfilled ; and Major Baring was appointed in his stead. The appointment was an excellent one in itself, but it had not the same effect in restoring English prestige in Egypt as would have resulted from the reinstatement of the English Minister of Finance.

The next step taken in the interest of the financial / reorganization of Egypt was the appointment of the / [ Commission of Liquidation, whose duty it was to W continue the investigation commenced by the Com- (I mission of Inquiry. The Commission of Liquidation