[Footnote 368:  De Freycinet, op, cit. pp. 311-312.]

After the refusal of France to co-operate with England even to the smallest extent, the Conference of the Powers became a nullity, and its sessions ceased despite the lack of any formal adjournment[369].  Here, as on so many other occasions, the Concert of the Powers displayed its weakness; and there can be no doubt that the Sultan and Arabi counted on that weakness in playing the dangerous game which brought matters to the test of the sword.  The jealousies of the Powers now stood fully revealed.  Russia entered a vigorous protest against England’s action at Alexandria; Italy evinced great annoyance, and at once repelled a British proposal for her co-operation; Germany also showed much resentment, and turned the situation to profitable account by substituting her influence for that of Britain in the counsels of the Porte.  The Sultan, thwarted in the midst of his tortuous intrigues for a great Moslem revival, showed his spleen and his diplomatic skill by loftily protesting against Britain’s violation of international law, and thereafter by refusing (August 1) to proclaim Arabi a rebel against the Khedive’s authority.  The essential timidity of Abdul Hamid’s nature in presence of superior force was shown by a subsequent change of front.  On hearing of British successes, he placed Arabi under the ban (September 8).

[Footnote 369:  For its proceedings, see Parl.  Papers, Egypt, 1882 (Conference on Egyptian Affairs).]

Meanwhile, the British expedition of some 10,000 men, despatched to Egypt under the command of Sir Garnet Wolseley made as though it would attack Arabi from Alexandria as a base.  But on nearing that port at nightfall it steered about and occupied Port Said (August 15).  Kantara and Ismailia, on the canal, were speedily seized; and the Seaforth Highlanders by a rapid march occupied Chalouf and prevented the cutting of the freshwater canal by the rebels.  Thenceforth the little army had the advantage of marching near fresh water, and by a route on which Arabi was not at first expecting them.  Sir Garnet Wolseley’s movements were of that quick and decisive order which counts for so much against orientals.  A sharp action at Tel-el-Mahuta obliged Arabi’s forces, some 10,000 strong, to abandon entrenchments thrown up at that point (August 24).

Four days later there was desperate fighting at Kassassin Lock on the freshwater canal.  There the Egyptians flung themselves in large numbers against a small force sent forward under General Graham to guard that important point.  The assailants fought with the recklessness begotten by the proclamation of a holy war against infidels, and for some time the issue remained in doubt.  At length, about sundown, three squadrons of the Household Cavalry, and the 7th Dragoon Guards, together with four light guns, were hastily sent forward from the main body in the rear to clinch the affair.  General Drury Lowe wheeled this little force round the left flank of the enemy, and, coming up unperceived in the gathering darkness, charged with such fury as to scatter the hostile array in instant rout[370].  The enemy fell back on the entrenchments at Tel-el-Kebir, while the whole British force (including a division from India) concentrated at Kassassin, 17,400 strong, with 61 guns and 6 Gatlings.