21 FEBRUARY 1891, Page 1

The Khedive has overridden the native Ministry, and issued a

decree sanctioning the reforms proposed by the Judicial Commission, and especially the appointment of an English Judge to supervise the native tribunals and the management of the Police. Egyptians generally are said to be pleased, and most foreigners are delighted ; but the Parisian news- Tapers are furious, and call upon the Government to resist the English annexation of the administrative machine. The French Government has accordingly instructed its repre- sentative, Colonel d'Aubigny, to remonstrate with the Khedive, and has withdrawn its consent to the application of part of the surplus revenue, now quite £300,000, to the abolition of the corae and other reforms. M. Ribot, in fact, not being able to reach the English, kicks the Egyptian fellaheen to show that he is angry. The outbreak is purely one of spite, as the French do not even pretend that the changes authorised are not improvements, and the matter, by their own showing, is one for the Khedive alone. The annoyance is, however, great, and in their retaliatory measuri the French are entirely within their legal right. They probably want some concession in Tunis or Madagascar.