18 JUNE 1887, Page 2

Lord Salisbury, on Friday week, in answer to Lord Car-

narvon, confirmed the popular account of the Anglo-Turkish Convention, adding, however, we regret to see, that England, besides preventing invasion or insurrection, might reoccupy the country if Egypt failed in her international obligations. That means that England, or failing her, Turkey, might compel Egypt to pay the interest on her bonds, a piece of bailiff-work which this country should not undertake. Lord Salisbury declined, in the present state of negotiations, to enter into details or to produce papers, but expressed a strong hope that the matter would speedily be settled. According to the latest accounts, it is believed that the Sultan will shortly ratify the Convention, and that the French objection to its provisions will be abandoned, probably after a compromise fixing a definite period beyond which the English right of re-entry shall not extend. As we shall only re-enter as mandatories of Europe, we see no special objection to that proviso, which does not increase our discredit in retiring without fulfilling our engagements to the people.