296 THE STORY OF THE KHEDIVATE.

to Egypt, even for the sole object of protecting the Canal. Believing, as the great majority of Frenchmen did at this period, that Arabi would defeat the Khedive, even if supported by English troops, they were resolved to steer clear of any co-operation with England, and preferred, in the words employed by M.

Cldmenceau at this period, " to reserve absolute liberty of action to France." It was only after the British Government had declared its intention of sending an armed force to Egypt to uphold the authority of the Khedive, and after France had refused to take part in this expedition, that the Porte consented to issue a proclamation, declaring Arabi' to be a rebel against his lawful Sovereign, and agreed to send troops for the restoration of order. Before, however, these tardy resolutions could be carried into effect. Sir Garnet had already arrived at Alexandria, and the war had commenced in earnest.

If I have made my meaning clear, I think it will be obvious that England did everything in her power to avoid armed intervention in Egypt ; that when intervention became unavoidable, she tried, wisely or unwisely, to induce Turkey to intervene ; that when Turkey declined, she made every effort to persuade France to make a joint intervention in conjunction with herself; and that when France stood aloof, she endeavoured to give an International character to the intervention which she was left to undertake alone at her own risk and cost. Under these circumstances, I fail to see how England, up to this date, can be k