SIR CHARLES D1LKE ON EGYPT.
[To TIM EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sin,—Admiral Maxse has written to you, in the Spectator of August 10th, to complain of my having, in a long article in Le Malin on the recent change of Government, made a passing allusion to the occupation of Egypt, in repetition of my well- known views upon this subject. I am unable to see that the bad faith which may be alleged against France in some other matters, is an answer to our own want of faith in the matter of the Egyptian occupation. Certainly it would be idle to hope for fair consideration of the views which I have urged in another article in the Mafia against French action in Madagascar, and in some other parts of the world, unless one holds the balance even by admitting what there may be to be said against ourselves in reference to Egypt. Before the General Election of 1892, when Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Morley attacked a continuation of the occupation of Egypt as lying at the root of all defects and weaknesses in our foreign policy, the regular daily supporter of the Government in the Press had a leading article intended to prove to the Liberal party that while it might be an excellent thing to stay in Egypt, it was a still more excellent thing "to keep our word." The Liberal party, after these speeches, was in office for three years, and not only was nothing done to give effect to Mr. Gladstone's views, but a tightening of our hold on Egypt was distinctly visible. I have expressed in Parliament at length my grounds for thinking that the continued occupation of Egypt is not only a breach of faith, but is also a weakness to this country, and my views are on record in " Hansard," and in a reprinted copy of my speech. It is unnecessary that I should ask your leave to repeat them in your columns, but I cannot promise not to continue to express them on every legitimate occasion, although such expression may be dis- agreeable to Admiral Maxse.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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