EGYPT UNDER BRITISH SUPERVISION. 429 to State that, under British supervision, which is only another name for British control, the reorganization of the various departments of the Egyptian State made rapid progress.

The first and most noteworthy of our reforms was the reconstruction of the native army. Up to the time of the battle of Ginnis, this army was looked upon with contempt by the outside world, and had lost all self-respect. Under the Sirdarship of Sir Evelyn Wood, the foundation was laid of the army, which, later on, played an important part in defeating the Khalifa, and restoring Egyptian rule in the Soudan. The organization of the native army was accomplished under every species of discouragement and opposition.

In Egypt there were very few residents, either native or foreign, who believed in the possibility of ever converting Egyptian soldiers into an effective military force. The Khedive himself despaired of success. I remember about this period having an interview with Tewfik, in which he expressed his utter disbelief as to the possibility of our making good soldiers out of the fellaheen. He was influenced, no doubt, by the low opinion of the Egyptians, in a military capacity, entertained by all Turks. He was also biased, too, by his recollection of the Arabi mutiny, and of the way in which he had been deserted and betrayed by his own Egyptian soldiers. But I could not question his sincerity when he wound up his remarks by saying, *' You English are wasting your time and your money in trying to raise a native fellaheen army. However well your