Page:The Egyptian Difficulty and the First Step out of it.djvu/44

 Whatever may be the policy of England, she cannot disconnect herself from the country, any more than she can remain in it, without forming such a government.

This England might do by direct protectorate or by annexation; but the government of England has abjured both of these courses.

The strong government has therefore to be created out of the existing order, or out of the material consonant with it.

There cannot be a strong government with a ruler who is (1) incapable, (2) obnoxious to the people, (3) distrusted by the sovereign government, (4) under the ban of the religion of the country.

(1) Incapable: he will be always liable to fall into dangerous mistakes.

(2) Obnoxious to the people: he will lack the support and sympathy necessary for success.

(3) Distrusted by the sovereign government: he will always be the object of intrigues hailing from Stamboul.

(4) Under the ban of the religion of the country: he will be the constant irritamentum of fanatical opposition.

Under such disadvantages, not only is the present ruler a useless instrument for the purposes of administrative reconstruction, but the fact of his presence is prohibitive of any such reconstruction.

His only hold upon his throne being due to the protection of England, all the obloquy attaching to him is reflected upon England.

Under the weight of this obloquy British influence