The accounts from Constantinople show that up to the last
moment the Sultan was most unwilling to proclaim Arabi a rebel, or to sign the Convention fixing the conditions under which the Turkish troops might land. The occupation of Cairo, of course, gave Lord Dufferin the opportunity of signifying, in a friendly message, that the Convention was no longer needed, and Turkish troops are, therefore, not to be despatched. Ile rapid victory was not expected at Constantinople, and the • alaoe appears for the moment stunned, and unable even to intrigne. It is stated that the Porte will await British Proposals before taking any action whatever, or even ex- Rr_eseing its views ; and that, no doubt, is its wisest course. e may rely upon it, however, that the Sultan is preparing to esist any proposition whatever which increases European ,ufillenee in Egypt ; and this the more earnestly, because the potter Turks already accuse him of having deserted Arabi, and displayed gross incapacity. The Sultan is shrewd, but is hampered by inveterate distrust of everybody, and by the usual difficulty of his class, ignorance of facts. He probably believed that the campaign must be long, because the defence of Plevna was protracted, and that delay was, therefore, safe.
