The negotiations with Italy as regards African boundaries have failed.
According to semi-official accounts, Lord Dufferin agreed to permit an Italian occupation of Kassala, provided that, when needful, Egypt could reclaim the position ; but to this S. Crispi refused to agree, pleading that Italy could not incur all that trouble and expense without permanent right of occupancy. Lord Dufferin refused to give way, Sir Evelyn Baring pointing out that Kassala was still de jure an Egyptian outpost, and that in Egyptian opinion the owner of Kassala would be too well seated as regards the Nile. The negotiations were therefore brought to an end, though they will, it is reported, be resumed in London, probably with the question of Kassala left out. The most anxious assurances have been exchanged that the failure in no way imperils the friendship of the two Governments. It is not quite easy to understand why Italy makes such a point of the tenure of KO gel, unless, indeed, the Italian Generals believe that with- out it the Mahdists' advance upon Abyssinia, which is always imminent, may next time be successful.
