Cairo, January 12, 1884. —... We are in the midst of stirring events out here, a change of Ministry having been quite recently effected, which, I think, promises well both for England and Egypt. I consider the present state of things as virtually the commencement of our Protectorate. Nubar Pasha, the new Premier, is an avowed friend of England, desirous of extending his influence in this country and of seeing Englishmen controlling the various departments of the State, if not actually at their head. This, in point of fact, is what is actually being done now, for, with the exception of Nubar himself, there is not, I understand, a single member of the new Government who is a man of any note — they are practically dummies. In one, the Home Department, this remark is specially applicable, the real working man in it being Clifford Lloyd,i^ who has been appointed Under Secretary, a man of great ability, industry, sound judgment, firmness, and courage; he will have under his charge, police, prisons, the Mudirs, or governors of districts, and other duties connected with Home work — the three subjects which I have named especially requiring supervision and reform, which, under the old system, it was hopeless to expect.
The Finance Department is also under a man who knows about as much of the subject as the man in the moon; this will also be worked by Vincent, another Englishman. Public Works, a department of special importance, as it embraces the spirit of irrigation throughout the country, upon which its very existence depends, and which opens perhaps a wider field for peculation and dishonesty than any other, will, I believe, though this is not finally settled at the time I am writing, be also, to all intents and purposes, controlled by Colonel Scott Moncrieff,^" an Indian officer of great experience and intelligence. Foreign Affairs and Justice will probably be both taken in hand by Nubar himself, at both of which he is an adept. I had a long and friendly visit from Nubar yesterday, and had a very interesting talk with him. He was very energetic in expressing his sense of the necessity for the English troops remaining in Egypt and at Cairo, adding that if we went the Khedive would not remain long after us, nor himself, nor his Government either. The Egyptian Government, having now decided upon the abandonment of the Soudan, the difficult question arises as to how best to get the different garrisons out of the country with as little loss as possible, together with the officials, women, children, and others who may wish to leave. It is a delicate operation, requiring much good management, for the distances are very great, and the country through which the movement will be made is hostile; moreover, the Egyptians have not hitherto shown much love for fighting, though perhaps, with their faces turned towards home, they may do better than heretofore. One garrison must certainly be abandoned and cannot be withdrawn, and that is the one in the Equatorial district, somewhere about 5° N. The Egyptian Government mean, however, to retain Suakin and possibly Massowah, so as still to keep a hold on the Soudan....
1884] " CHINESE " GORDON SU
To his Niece, Emily Harriet Stephenson