The Berlin correspondent of the Times, writing on the many
rumours of coming troubles in the East which are just now agitating the German capital, reminds his readers that on March. 2nd, 1885, Prince Bismarck delivered a speech on the fitting relation between Great Britain and Egypt. He had, he said, dissuaded England, through Lord Ampthill, from annexing Egypt, though, he added, if she decided upon that course, Germany would not interfere. He thought, however, it would be far wiser for England to appear in Egypt as the Sultan's agent, and thus avoid exciting Mussul- man susceptibilities, and creating difficult relations with other European Powers ; and he hinted that Egypt might be leased to the British Government, a scheme probably suggested to him by the Austrian position in Bosnia. That scheme would work well enough if Europe sanctioned it ; but Prince Bis- marck underrated the jealousy of the directing class in France. He thought France would be conciliated by the security of her financial interests in Egypt, but this has not proved to be the case. Indeed, the better the price of Egyptian stocks, the more acrid has become the language of French statesmen, who think, apparently, that if Egypt is prosperous and orderly, England will never relinquish so charming an estate.
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