NEWS OF THE WEEK.
IT is a curious proof of the bitterness of international jealousies that we are all surprised to find a French re- porter, sent to Egypt to report on the results of British occupa- tion, telling the truth. M. Dubois, of the Figaro, landed at Alex- andria, he says, with the harshest preconceptions, expecting, indeed, to find the British committing "Bulgarian atrocities" in Egypt. His investigations, however, though conducted through Frenchmen, led him inevitably to the conclusion that the only -crime to be alleged by Egyptians against the British was that they were in occupation'. Their finance is wonderful, as -evidenced by the par value of the Unified Debt ; the fellah is no longer plundered, agriculture is in every respect improved, and irrigation is distributing everywhere the beneficent waters of the Nile. There is no injustice, there are no scandals, and even bribery has been driven out of the country. He does not question that the Pashas wish us to depart, but reports that they are entirely without ideas as to what is to follow our departure. "Egypt for the Egyptians," he regards as a Utopia, the whole capital of the country in all departments being foreign, and principally French capital, which would be lost if the British evacuated the Valley. That is important testimony ; but it will not soothe the susceptibility of the French Foreign Office, which is not irritated because Egyptians are oppressed, but because, Egypt being in the Mediterranean, the oppressors are not Frenchmen. To tell the Quai d'Orsay that Egypt is well-governed, is like telling the claimant to a great reversion that his adversary, who has got the money, spends it upon missionary work.
