The British Government, in any case, must be congratu- lated
upon the firmness and clearness of their action. They realised the true meaning of the Sultan's policy from the beginning, and also realised the only effective way of meeting it. The result, we do not doubt, will be doubly beneficial. In the first place, our influence, which has unfortunately been of late very low at Constantinople, will be greatly increased, and the Turk will, we trust, be finally disabused of the notion that a change of Government here makes any difference to British policy where the interests of the Empire are concerned. Possibly it may even make him understand that Liberal Governments are more dangerous to deal with than those of the opposite party, just because there is a widespread impres- sion that they are weak. A Liberal Government always feel that they cannot afford to show the slightest hesitation in matters of Imperial concern lest the taunts of their oppo- nents should seem to be well founded. Again, the successful handling of the situation by the Government will, we feel sure, have an excellent effect in Cairo, and will show the coffee-house intriguers there, who without the slightest warrant pretend to speak in the name of the Egyptian people, that they will obtain no tolerance or support from
any British party. Lord Cromer and the principles upon which he acts are just as sure of endorsement from Liberals as from Tories.
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