iis Egypt
tion, with a view to getting rid of Tewfik. Both assumed
that the British and French would support an assertion
of Ottoman suzerainty. But the policy of both the
British and French Governments in the meantime had
changed. The French were in difficulties with Tunis,
and feared lest the Egyptian Nationalist movement might
still further embarrass them there if supported by Otto-
man Pan-Islamism. The British general election had
just returned a large Liberal majority, elected on anti-
Turkish propaganda. So Sherif was assured that Great
Britain "would avert from Egypt an occupation by an
Ottoman army." And the Sultan was instructed to do
nothing. He none the less sent a mission under Ali
Nizami to intrigue with Arabi against Tewfik in the
interests of the Ottoman Khedival candidate, Prince
Halim. This the British and French countered by send-
ing cruisers to Alexandria '' as a refuge for foreigners ''
(Egypt, No. 3, 1882, p, 38). Thereupon by arrange-
ment the Ottoman Mission withdrew from Egypt, the
Egyptian regiments withdrew from Cairo, and the foreign
cruisers withdrew from Alexandria. The more offensive
organs, both of the Pan-Islamic and of the anti-Moslem
Press, were suppressed under a new Press Law. And
the Egyptian Constitutionalist-Nationalists had for the
moment a clear course.
As the foreign control persisted in regarding the
Khedive as the sole governmental authority, the success
of the Constitutionalists depended on the Khedive keep-
ing the confidence of the Colonels so as to prevent them
from predominating politically. But the Khedive and the
Colonels were soon at daggers drawn. Throughout the
winter (1881-1882) Arabi asserted his authority more and
more over appointments and in administration. At last,
so as to bring him Bunder political control, he was made