Printed papers on the political situation and military policy in Egypt [‎76r] (151/176)

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Paris of Zaghlul and bis colleagues who were joined by other members of the
Zaghlulist Committee from Egypt was regarded as a signal triumph lor the
Nationalists,, who paid scant attention to the admonitions of what was obviously a
weak Government. Discouraged by his failure to control the situation, Rushdi
resigned on the 22nd April, and simultaneously Lord Allenby determined to put a
stop to the strike by methods more radical than those hitherto attempted. A
proclamation under martial law was published to the effect that all oflicials who did
not immediately return to work would be dismissed; this proved entirely successful,
for the strike ended on the 23rd April.
12. It had lasted for three weeks and had completely paralysed all but the most
necessary services which were kept going as far as possible by British military
personnel, then fortunately available in large numbers with the essential technical
qualifications.
Announcement of forthcoming Milner Mission and their Terms of Reference.
13. On the 15th May the Secretary of State after further consultation with
Lord Allenby announced'the intention of His Majesty’s Government to despatch
to Egypt the Milner Mission “ to enquire into the causes of the late disorders in
Ecrypt, and to report on the existing situation in the country, and the form of the
Constitution which, under the protectorate, will be best calculated to promote its
peace and prosperity, the progressive development of self-governing institutions, and
the protection of foreign interests.” At the time this announcement was made it
was intended that the mission should go to Egypt in June, and no one could then
foresee that over a year would elapse before even an interim report could be received
from them. During that period the knowledge'that the mission ***/coming had
the double effect of calling a halt to any constructive policy which Lord Allenby or /
the British element in the Egyptian service might otherwise have initiated, whilst
at the same time, it kept Egyptian opinion constantly alive to the possibility of
some drastic change in the regime of the country as a result of the enquiry and
recommendations of the mission.
Formation of Mohamed Said s Ministry.
14. On the 21st May a Ministry \^as formed by Mohamed Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Said, a former
Prime Minister and an' old hand in the art of Government as practised in Egypt
during the reign of the ex-Khedive, and with this development which was rendered
possible by the effective military measures taken to restore order throughout the
countrv, there seemed to be a fair chance of Egypt settling down to something like
normal tranquillity. Thus, when on the 22nd Mdy Lord Allenby was informed that
Lord Milner did not wish to visit Egypt till the early autumn, he replied that the
conditions had altered and that he would like the new Ministry to have time to
establish its position. He therefore thought that the mission should come out in
September. . . . , . ... • • ,
15. The summer passed without serious incidents, and as public opinion began to
realise the failure of Zaghlul and his “ delegation ” to achieve anything substantial
at Paris, attention was increasingly turned towards the forthcoming mission of
enquiry. Towards the end of August it became evident that for some reason or other
neither the Sultan nor his Prime Minister wanted the mission; the excuse they
urged was that until peace had been made with Turkey and Italy had recognised
the protectorate the position of Egypt would not have been sufficiently regularised
to warrant the investigations which the mission w^ere to undertake.
16. Mohamed Said’s attitude was not wholly prompted by^dislike of the idea
of the mission. He w r as being increasingly attacked by the Zaghlulists foi not >
preventing/despatch, and consequently in opposing it he felt that he was
disarm muftis critics whilst indulging his own feelings. Meanwhile, the Nationalists,
on Zao-hluPs inspiration, were advocating the boycott of the mission, to whose coming
the Prime Minister and his colleagues became increasingly opposed, until towards
the end of September he informed Sir M. Cheetham, who was acting for Lord
Allenby, that if his wishes were disregarded he would resign.
Resignation of Mohamed Said, who is Replaced by Wahba Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. .
17 After consultation with Lord Allenby, who was then in England, it was
decided on the 6th October to postpone the departure of the mission until he had