NEWS OF THE WEEK.
TN spite of all the denials, the British and French Govern- ments have addressed.a joint Note to the Khedive, which was delivered to him on the 8th inst. In this Note, the allied Powers state that they consider the maintenance of Prince Tewfik "on the throne, under the conditions sanctioned by succes- sive &mans of the Porte, which they have officially accepted, is at present and in the future the only possible guarantee for the maintenance of order and the development of the prosperity of the country, in which France and England are equally in- terested." The " two Governments are, therefore, determined to ward off by their united efforts all causes of external and internal complications which might menace the regime esta- blished in Egypt." This Note created consternation both at Cairo and Constantinople, and efforts have been made since to minimise its effect, but its significance is unmistakable. The Germans gravely pronounce the Note a blunder, the Austrians say they will resist any active occupation of Egypt, and the Russians are loud on the " plundering designs " of Great Britain. All the same, the Sultan and Prince Tewfik, his secret ally, are warned that Egypt cannot become once more a Turkish pro- vince, and that the only method of avoiding coercion is to adhere to the present arrangement. England and France are clearly right, both as regards the Turk and the Imperial Powers, but the situation is very difficult. A joint occupation means a quarrel, and the present position of the Control is almost absurd. It has no governing powers in Egypt, yet it has just signified to the Notables that they must not discuss the Budget, lest Bondholders suffer !
