142 Egypt
But this simple solution was impossible for political
reasons. It would have meant much opposition in Eng-
land, which then had no realisation of the value of the
Sudan; in Egypt, which had nominally effected its re-
conquest ; and in Europe, where jealous rivals would at
once have required compensation in Africa. The alterna-
tive of reannexation by Egypt was undesirable. For it
would have meant extending over the Sudan the regime
of the Capitulations with all their internal and international
complications that had so hampered reconstruction in
Egypt. The solution, an Anglo-Egyptian condominium,
had been prepared in advance, and was proclaimed by
the hoisting of the British and Egyptian flags over a re-
captured Khartum. This new condominium was based on
an agreement between the British Empire and Egypt
(January 19, 1899): "To give effect to the claims
which have accrued to His Britannic Majesty's Govern-
ment by right of conquest, to share in the present settle-
ment and in the future working and development of the
Sudan.3' Which subordination of the British Empire to
Egypt, involved in Egypt delegating to the Empire a
share only in the working of the partnership, was in-
tended to avoid claims for compensation from other
Powers, especially France. And it may be assumed
that, had the authors of this juristic juggling anticipated
an early collision between Egypt and the Empire as to
their respective rights in the Sudan, the de facto domin-
ance of the British partner would have been more
distinctly defined. As it was, after some growls from
Continental Chanceries as to an innovation in international
law, and some grumblings from the Sultan about his
sovereignty having been ignored, the condominium was
accepted as a fait accompli.
It was very clear from the first that the British must