Correspondence with A J Balfour, Sir R Wingate, Lord Allenby, Lord Milner and others on Egypt [‎7r] (13/300)

CONFIDENTIAL.
(11060) f
Political Affairs in Egypt.
No. 1.
Sir H. Wingate to Mr. Balfour.—(Received November 18.)
(No. 1710.)
(Telegraphic.) Cairo, November 17,
I HAVE received visit from three Egyptians—Saad Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Zaghlul, Abdel-Aziz
Bey Fahmy, and Aly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Sharawi—all of whom will be known to you as politicians
of advanced views. They came to advocate a programme of complete autonomy for
Egypt, which would leave to Great Britain only a right of supervision in the matter of
public debt and facilities for our ships traversing Suez Canal. They disowned methods
of Mustafa Kamel and Mohammed Farid,* though agreeing with their principles.
They profess gratitude and friendship with us, and stated their desire to go to London
in order to put forward their demands.
In condemning in strongest terms the former nationalistic movement, I offered
frank criticism on various points of their present argument, and warned them
repeatedly that they must exercise patience, having regard to many important
preoccupations of His Majesty’s Government.
Directly afterwards Hushdy Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. came to suggest that himself and Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
should visit London in immediate future to discuss Egyptian affairs. Sultan of Egypt,'
he stated, having already approved of this plan.
Bushdy informed me at the same time that he was aware of scheme of Nationalist
leaders, and that, in his opinion, it would be good thing for them to be allowed a
hearing in London, as, in the event of their request being refused, charge of inadequate
representation of Egyptian questions could not then be brought .against responsible
Egyptian Ministers, as might be the case if only latter went to London.
I am aware that the three Nationalist leaders visited Sultan of Egypt before
approaching me, and there is little doubt that neither Sultan of Egypt nor Ministers
feel strong enough to oppose Nationalist demands, however unacceptable they may
appear to be.
It is probable new movement will soon take a more pronounced form, and meetings
to discuss question are, I hear, contemplated by prominent Egyptians.
I should be glad to have any instructions His Majesty’s Government consider
desirable to give me.
Should two Ministers be permitted to proceed to London, I would propose to send
Sir William Brunyate and Sir M. Cheetham at the same time—former would be
specially valuable in connection with Capitulations question and latter is fully
conversant witii all current Egyptian matters.
* Former leaders of the Nationalist party.
No. 2.
Sir R. Wingate to Mr. Balfour.—(Received November 26.)
(No. 1751.)
(Telegraphic.) Cairo, November 25, 1918.
MY telegram No. 1710.
During last week, Saad Zaghlul and Abdel-Aziz Fahmy have been working to
popularise their movement to collect adherents from provinces, and especially to enlist
pledge of support from among members of Legislative Assembly of 1914. ihese have
been asked to sign a statement delegating full powers to a committee to seek, through
peaceful and lawful means whenever opportunities offer, to obtain the absolute
independence of Egypt in conformity with principles of liberty and justice, whose
cause Great Britain and her Allies espoused by implicitly seeking to liberate the
weak people.”
Object of leaders is to represent themselves as mandataries of a United Egypt, and
thus impress public opinion in England and elsewhere. Meanwhile, in apparent
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