The wrangles between the Egyptian authorities and Mr. Howard Carter
over the tomb of Tut-ankh-Amen have not merely been unedifying and deplorable, but threaten to put in jeopardy some of the incomparable relics which have been discovered. The result of Mr. Carter's protest against the humiliating restrictions im- posed upon him by the Egyptian officials was that the tomb was closed even to Mr. Carter himself. The authorities also prohibited certain ladies, who had been expressly invited by Lady Carnarvon, from visiting the tomb. Finally, an ultimatum was discharged at Mr. Carter, requiring him to resume work within forty-eight hours under the direction of Egyptian officials, or to accept the alternative that the work would henceforth be under- taken by the Egyptian Government itself. Mr. Carter's reply was to demand an apology as a necessary condition of any further negotiations, and to state that he was bringing his case, and his claim to certain of the treasures, before the Courts of Law. Finally the Egyptian Government cancelled Mr. Carter's licence.
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