Report of the Special Mission to Egypt under Lord Milner, and related papers [‎136r] (273/473)

S E 0 H 3 T
(This Document is the Property of
His B'ritannic Majesty’s Government.;
c,p.-ai 2 o.
(Revised)
Marnor&xtdm by the president, Bosuai of Eduoation#
as ay duties at Go nova will prevent me from participating
in the concluding deliberations of the Cabinet upon the
Egyptian question, I ta^e this crpr>or*tuiiity of expressing such
views as I have been able to form on the basis of the two
Conferences which I have attended*
(1) Although it has boon explained to us that the Cabinet
is in no wise committed to the recommend*tlons of the Milner
Mission we should, I thine t encounter serious risxa if we
were altogether to reject the conclusions of a body so
influential in composition and presided over by a Minister
of the Crown who, of all living Englishmen, is best quali
fied by reason of his experience to spoax with authority
upon Egyptian questions. Technically, we are wall within
our rights in discarding the Milner Beport. Prsotiorally,
we should be confronted with great difficulties if we were
to adopt such a course and upon this lord Allenby, who do^a
not li.co every feature in the Report, spo.ve with no uncertain
voice. Egyptian opinion would bo inflamed; the Arab-epealing
world would accuse us of yot another broxen pledge. Bor
could the case, for e refusal of the policy be stated to the
British public without affronting a greet body of opinion
upon Vthich the Grovemmont relies for its support.
(E) Quite apart from this and jud^int, the case purely on
morite I should lixe the Cabinet to accept the governing
principle of the Rsoort. That is that governing principle?
It is tiut our position in Egypt should be regularised by a
'bi-latorul agreement between the British Jovernmont on the
one hand and by those who are qualified to speak: for the
Egyptian nation on the other, and that it should be thus
.^founded upon the expressed and formal consent of the
-1- Egyptian
0 A b I IT 2 T.
THE CASE OF EGYPT.