The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-09-11

and Lord Rosebery, have been guilty OF
duIllcity ana bad faith. but that ire
moral difficulties OF evacuation nave
been too great? We believe that II Mr..
Hodgson Pratt were 10 be sent 10 cairo
tomorrow to occupy Lord Cromer's place,
and with a free hand. TO accomplish
evacuation in two years, he would ma
tina he had undertaken an impossible
task. That however, is another ques-
ton Our immediate contention is that
the declarations made as TO evacuation.
which we have just quoted. 10 not con-
stitute a binding Obligation TO evacuate
OF the kind which must be carried out at
all risks. and without any thought Of
Interior consequences. They were mere
ly voluntary declarations made in error.
but also in good faith. No doubt they
may have. 10 "A certain extent, misled the
French Governments which took note OF
them; but though that is to be greatly
regretted. IL does not, since the declara-
tons were not made with any attempt
to deceive constitute a breach Of honor.
Our Cove rnment. in making these impos-
siDie declarations. were no doubt misled
by a false analogy. They argued: I'VE
nave often in India occupied and adj
ministered a native State for term OF
years, and then handed IL back TO its ma
tive rulers. We Will do the same in
Egypt. Three or four years OF good ad-
ministration win put things i'm order ana
then We can retire. leaving only an agent
to give good advice when needed" They
forgot that this plan succeeds I'm India
only because the native State is imbeddcd
IN the Empire. Is in a fcudstOry situa-
ton. and Is never really put out Of tute-
lage. II is prOpped all round by the Brit
Ism administration. In the case Of Egypt
the native administration would nave
had really TO stand alone If our troops
ana officials'had been Withdrawn. Hence.
what IS easy in India proves impossi-
bic in Egypt.
IL appears to us. then. that IL and when
France comes 10 us with the case put
by Mr.. HodgsOn Pratt, and confronts us
with our declarations. We can. without
any loss OF honor, or without infringing
any principle Of international law. reply
10 her as follows: we fully admit those
declarations, and we DO not aftempt 10
explain them away. They were made in
perfect sincerity, and represented our
strong desire 10 get out Of Egypt. We
have found however. that circumstances
nave been too strong for as. and that
instead or evacuation being the easy
thing We thought II. IL is. AZ present III
any rate. a virtual impOssibilitv. We
nave round. that is. as you found I'm
runs, that 10 is much easier 10 oc-
cupy an Eastern country thar 10 ovacu-
ate II. You told all Europe I'm 1851 that
yoS had no intention OF remaining I'm
I'hls but circumstances proved too
strong for you. and you have remained
ever since. We do not blame Won or
DOUBT your complete sincerity. but we
ssK you TO remember the ssrt We have
no more desire. however. definitely To an
mex Egypt than you have definitely 10
annex Tunis. We will do as you have
dDne IN Tunis. and leave the question
sun open We cannot however. run the
rlsk or unconsciOusly doceiving you
again. and therefore we will make no
more oeclarations as 10 our intentions
lol we realize. by our example and your
own their futility." 1t seems TO us that
10 give such an answer would ne in M
sense IshonOrabIe.-London Snecfator