أوراق مطبوعة عن الوضع السياسي والسياسة العسكرية في مصر [و‎‎٣‎٦] (١٧٦/٧١)

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terminate the protectorate and to recognise Egypt as a sovereign State; it affirmed
the intention of Egypt to prove to Great Britain that the good faith of Egypt and
respect for her undertakings would constitute the best and most effective safeguards
for British and foreign interests; it looked forward to the restoration of normal
conditions in Egypt which would permit a Constitution to be granted to the country;
and it expressed the view that the time had come to re-establish the functions of
an Egyptian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, temporarily suspended by the
circumstances of the war. This programme having been telegraphed to London,
His Majesty's Government signified their assent to it on the 15th December. The
important point to note in this programme is that relating to foreign affairs. The
vesting of the Ministry in the person of His Majesty’s Eligh Commissioner in 1914
was an essential part of the protectorate. Indeed, it was the only measure taken
to give form to the protectorate policy. With the restoration of the Ministry to
Egyptian hands there appeared to be no longer any reason for retaining the
protectorate in name. On the basis of this concession negotiations ensued for the
formation of a Ministry. While the concession alone did not, for reasons to be
explained later, achieve the object hoped of it, it undoubtedly went far to reassure
moderate opinion in the country as to the benevolent intentions of His Majesty’s
Government, so much so that, when it became necessary a week or two later to deport
Zaghlul Pasha and some of his colleagues to the Seychelles Islands for defiance of
martial law, the British authorities were able to rely on the co-operation and support
of the moderate men in continuing the Government of the country, with the result
that the strikes in the Government offices in Cairo were of short duration and the
services in the provinces were carried on without interruption. Thanks to the
precautions and prompt measures of Sir Walter Congreve, General Officer
Commanding, the disturbances were of comparative insignificance. The moral of
the Egyptian army and of the police depends to a great extent on whether or not
there is a visible Egyptian authority to obey, and it is liable to give way if put}
to too long a strain. On this occasion there was no complaint to make of their
behaviour, and the conduct of the Guard Company of the Egyptian police, who are
lodged in barracks isolated from the influence of home surroundings, was exemplary.
22. Notwithstanding the approval of his programme, Sarwat Pasha declared
that he was not in a position to form a Ministry, and, upon enquiry, it transpired
that he had been forbidden by the Sultan to disclose his programme in Egypt.
When he came to the point of forming his Cabinet he was met with a refusal to
co-operate on the part of most of those on whom he had been counting for his
colleagues. He was specially embarrassed by denial of support from Adly Pasha,
who was still regarded as the leader of the party and considered that the concession
did not go far enough to enable a stable Ministry to be formed, and to restore public
confidence in the good intentions of Great Britain. Conversations between the
Egyptian leaders and the Residency on the possibilities of forming a Ministrv were
stiil proceeding when the year closed.
11. The Deportation of Zaghlul Pasha and the Members of his Wafd.
23. The lesson which Zaghlul Pasha had had in the autumn had been completely
thrown away upon him. His appearances in public continued, and were intended,
to be the signal for disorderly demonstrations. After the publication of the note to
the Sultan explaining the future policy of His Majesty’s Government, demonstra
tions occurred in the streets of Cairo definitely attributable to the propaganda of the
Wafd. The police were nightly attacked by gangs of hooligans armed with sticks
and stones. Two British soldiers were shot in the street, one of whom died from his
wound. Zaghlul Pasha convened a large meeting for the 23rd December, which it
was deemed advisable to prohibit in the interests of public security. The Pasha
immediately issued an appeal to the nation, which was a defiance of the authorities
He and his principal adherents were thereupon ordered to abstain from further
participation in politics and to proceed to their country residences, there to remain
under the supervision of the Governor of the province. Saad Pasha Zaghlul.
Fathalla Pasha Barakat, Atif Bey Barakat, Amin Bey Ezz-el-Arab, Sinnot Bey
Hanna and William Makram Obeid Effendi refused to obey this order, and their
deportation from Egypt was decided in consequence. As there was no Egyptian
Ministry in office at the time, the whole responsibility for this step was taken by
the British authorities. The predominant feeling in the country was probably one
of relief at the removal of what was a standing menace to law r and order, but it was
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