106	Egypt
sheikhs. These sheikhs, often petty tyrants themselves,
could ensure the Colonels' popular support for a cam-
paign against the tyranny of the '' Turkish '' Khedive
and of the Prankish creditor.
We have, then, in these three factions all the elements
of a national party not as yet properly fused. All these
three elements were acting independently in their own
interest. Thus, the exile of the Islamic "el Afghani"
provoked no protest from the Constitutionalists ; and the
dismissal of the constitutional ^£' el Franzawi'' aroused
no agitation in the army. But the elimination both of
the religious and political elements concentrated the
nationalist energies in the army, and it was not long
before both pamphlets and petitions were circulating
among the Egyptian regiments, making appeals both
to Moslem fanaticism and to modern constitutionalism.
The first appearance of the army in politics was,
however, reasonable enough, and even received the
approval of the foreign consuls. A petition for^ redress
of grievances as to pay and promotion was presented by
the fellah officers (May 20, 1880). The French Agent,
M, de Ring, patronised the petitioners, and the Khedive
opened communication with them through a fellah
A.B.C., AH Bey Fehmy. They were also advised and
assisted by the two constitutional Ministers, The next
move was a demand for the dismissal of Osman Rifki
the Turk, courageously presented to Riaz in person by
the two Colonels Arabi and Abd-el-Aal. It was as great
a marvel as though two sheep had suggested a change
of butchers. "Your petition is muhlik—a hanging matter
—are you going to change the Government ?^M bullied
the enraged old Turk. ^£t Is Egypt, then, a woman who
has borne but eight sons?" retorted Arabi, alluding to
the eight Ministers (January 15, 1881),