66 "by similar views. It has been easy for the two "countries, acting in concert and with identical objects of no selfish character, to assist materially in improving the financial and political condition of Egypt, and so long as the good of that country is "alone the object in view, there should be no difficulty in prosecuting it with the same success. Any self-aggrandising design on the part of either "Government must, from its very nature, destroy "this useful co-operation. The Khedive and his "Ministers may feel secure that her Majesty's Go"vernment contemplate no such deviation from the path which they have traced for themselves" (a). On January 10, 1882, the following Note was presented to the Khedive by the English and French Agents: "You have already been instructed on several "occasions to inform the Khedive and his Govern“ment of the determination of England and France "to afford them support against the difficulties of " various kinds which might interfere with the course "of public affairs in Egypt. "The two Powers are entirely agreed on this sub"ject, and recent circumstances, especially the meeting of the Chamber of Notables convoked by the "Khedive, have given them the opportunity for a "further exchange of views. "I have accordingly to instruct you to declare to "the Khedive that the English and French Governments consider the maintenance of his Highness on the throne, on the terms laid down by the "Sultan's Firmans, and officially recognised by the (a) Papers presented to Parliament, 1882. "two Governments, as alone able to guarantee, for "the present and future, the good order and the "development of general prosperity in Egypt, in "which France and Great Britain are equally inte"rested. 66 66 66 "The two Governments being closely associated "in the resolve to guard by their united efforts against all cause of complication, internal or external, which might menace the order of things estab"lished in Egypt, do not doubt that the assurance publicly given of their formal intentions in this respect will tend to avert the dangers to which the "Government of the Khedive might be exposed, "and which would certainly find England and "France united to oppose them. "vinced that his Highness will draw from this They are conassurance the confidence and strength which he requires to direct the destinies of Egypt and its people." 66 On February 2, 1882, the dragomans of the German, Russian, Austrian, and Italian Embassies at Constantinople communicated to Assym Pacha a verbal note, of which the following is the text : "En réponse à la communication que l'Ambassa"deur de Turquie a fait du télégramme adressé par "le Sublime Porte le 13 Janvier à Londres et Paris au sujet des affaires Egyptiennes, l'Ambassadeur de "sa Majesté a été chargé par son gouvernement de "déclarer ce qui suit. "Le gouvernement de sa Majesté désire le main"tien du status quo en Egypte sur la base des arrangements Européens et des firmans octroyés par les Sultans; et il est d'avis que le status quo "ne saurait être modifié que par une entente entre les "Grandes Puissances et la Puissance Suzeraine" (b). Prince Milan of Servia has, with the recognition of the Great Powers of Europe, assumed the title of King (c). I cannot conclude this Preface without adverting to the loss which the science of International Jurisprudence has sustained in the lamented death of the learned Professor Bluntschli. (b) See also Earl Granville's speeches in the House of Lords, Feb. 7 and Feb. 14, 1882. (c) See Part V. chap. iv., sections 25, 26, in this volume. CONTENTS. Debts of the State. Lord Palmerston's Letter in 1848. Debts guaranteed A kind of Moral Intervention. Different kinds of Recognition. Virtual and Maritime Honours. Insignia of the State. Precedence at Congresses. Royal |