Sir H. D. Wolff, the High Commissioner in Egypt, has
laid before the Turkish High Commissioner his plan, which is, of course, the plan of the British Government, for the future govern- ment of the country. It is that Egypt should remain, under the old Treaties, part of the Ottoman Empire, but that it should be declared a neutral State, like Belgium. Its neutrality would be guaranteed by all the Great Powers, and none would be allowed any preponderating influence. The British Army would evacuate the country at a fixed date, and no other army would be allowed to enter, though the Egyptian Government would be at liberty to permit the occasional transit of troops between Europe and Aeia. The scheme has been favourably received by the Turkish Com- missioner, but will hardly be accepted by the Sultan, who has views of his own about the destiny of Egypt. We have dis- cussed the project, which is something of a surprise, sufficiently elsewhere, but must add that the reply of Sir J. Fergasson, given on Thursday to Sir H. Tyler, is not a denial. His words were,—" I can only reply to my honourable friend that her Majesty's Government adhere to the explanations which they have previously given of their policy in regard to Egypt ; but I am not able to make any statement with regard to negotia- tions that are proceeding. The rumours that have appeared in the newspapers do not give an accurate representation of the objects her Majesty's Government have in view."
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