The influence of
France over the native mind in Egypt has been completely destroyed by the
result of the Fashoda negotiations; and although she still retains the
legal power to meddle in and obstruct all financial arrangements,
that power, unsupported by real influence, is like a body whence the soul
has fled, which may, indeed, be an offensive encumbrance,
but must ultimately decompose and crumble into dust.
But, apart from any connection with Egypt, Britain has gained
a vast territory which, although it would be easy to exaggerate its value,
is nevertheless coveted by every Great Power in Europe. The policy of
acquiring large waterways, which has been pursued deliberately or
unconsciously by British statesmen for three centuries, has been carried
one step further; and in the valley of the Nile England may develop
a trade which, passing up and down the river and its complement the railway,
shall exchange the manufactures of the Temperate Zone for the products of
the Tropic of Cancer, and may use the north wind to drive civilisation and
prosperity to the south and the stream of the Nile to bear wealth and
commerce to the sea.
APPENDIX
TEXT OF THE SOUDAN AGREEMENT OF THE 19TH OF JANUARY, 1899,
AND OF THE DECLARATION OF THE 21ST OF MARCH, 1899
AGREEMENT BETWEEN HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
AND THE GOVERNMENT OF HIS HIGHNESS THE KHEDIVE OF EGYPT,
RELATIVE TO THE FUTURE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SOUDAN
WHEREAS certain provinces in the Soudan which were in rebellion against
the authority of His Highness the Khedive have now been reconquered by the
joint military and financial efforts of Her Britannic Majesty's Government
and the Government of His Highness the Khedive; AND whereas it has become
necessary to decide upon a system for the administration of and for the
making of laws for the said reconquered provinces, under which due
allowance may be made for the backward and unsettled condition of large
portions thereof, and for the varying requirements of different localities;
AND whereas it is desired to give effect to the claims which have accrued
to Her Britannic Majesty's Government, by right of conquest, to share in
the present settlement and future working and development of the
said system of administration and legislation;
AND whereas it is conceived that for many purposes Wady Halfa and Suakin
may be most effectively administered in conjunction with the reconquered
provinces to which they are respectively adjacent:
NOW, it is hereby agreed and declared by and between the Undersigned,
duly authorised for that purpose, as follows:-
ART. I.
The word 'Soudan' in this Agreement means all the territories South of the
22nd parallel of latitude, which:
1. Have never been evacuated by Egyptian troops since the year 1882; or
2.
