ABBAS PASHA II, Hilmi, herme, third Khedive of Egypt : b. 14 July 1874, the eldest son of the Khedive Mehemed Tewfik, better known as Tewfik Pasha, was educated with his brother at the Theresianum in Vienna. Abbas Hilmi was declared to be officially of age in 1891, and on the death of his father (7 Jan. 1892) was proclaimed Khedive of Egypt in accordance with the Sultan's firman or 8 June 1873, by which the succession was to fall from father to son instead of from brother to brother. Despite the British occupation of Egypt since 1882, that country was — at least nominally — under Turkish suzerainty down to December 1914. The activities of Abbas Hilmi as a ruler were limited to following the advice of Lord Cromer, Sir Eldon Gorst, and, later, of Lord Kitchener, successively British Con suls-General in Egypt. At the outbreak of the European War (1914) the Khedive was in Constantinople, the guest of the Sultan, and was credited with devoting his energies to plot ting against the British rule in his country. Great Britain declared war on Turkey (5 No vember) in consequence of hostile acts com mitted by Turkish troops. On 18 December the
British Foreign Office issued a statement to the effect that in view of the state of war arising out of the action of Turkey, "Egypt is placed under the protection of His Majesty and will hence forth constitute a Protectorate. The suze rainty of Turkey over Egypt is thus terminated and His Majesty's Government will adopt all measures necessary for the defense of Egypt and the protection of its inhabitants and in terests.° A further announcement next day referred to Abbas Hilmi, "lately Khedive of Egypt,* who had adhered to the King's enemies, and stated that he had been deposed. The title of Khedive was abolished for that of Sultan and conferred on the eldest living descendant of the family of Mehemet Ali, Prince Hussein Kamel Pasha who died 5 Oct. 1917 and was succeeded by Prince Ahmed Fuld. Consult Cromer, Earl of, 'Abbas II' (London 1915).