Correspondence with A J Balfour, Sir R Wingate, Lord Allenby, Lord Milner and others on Egypt [‎8r] (15/300)

4. Abdel Aziz Fahmy Bey, advocate and Member of Legislative Assembly.
5. Mohammed Ali Bey, advocate and Member of Legislative Assembly.
6. Abdel Latif El Mekabbadi Bey, Member of Legislative Assembly.
7. Ahmed Lutfy El Said Bey, Director of Sultanieh Library.
8. Hamed El Bassal Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , Member of Legislative Assembly.
9. Mahmud El Nasr Bey, advocate.
10. Ismail Sidky Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , ex-Minister of Wakfs.
11. - George Khayat Bey, notable of Assiut.
12. Sinnot Hanna Bey, Member of Legislative Assembly.
13. Doctor Hafiz Affifi Bey, Cairo.
14. Mustafa El Nawillhas Bey, Judge at Tantah Tribunal.
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No. 4.
Mr. Balfour to Sir. 1{. Wingate.
(No. 1428.)
(Telegraphic.) Foreign Office, November 27, 1918.
YOUR telegram No. 1710 of 17th November.
2. It cannot be concealed that the fact of any responsible leaders of Egyptian
opinion having advanced such extravagant demands has created an unfortunate
impression here. I trust that they received no encouragement whatsoever from the
Sultan or his Ministers.
3. His Majesty’s Government desire to act on the principle which they have always
followed of giving the Egyptians an ever increasing share in the government of the
country, and the rate of Egyptian progress towards self-government must depend on
Egyptians themselves. As you are well aware, the stage has not been reached at which
self-government is possible. His Majesty’s Government have no intention of abandoning
their responsibilities for order and good government in Egypt, and for protecting the
rights and interests both of the native and of the foreign populations of the country.
Had any such abandonment been in contemplation we should not have felt justified in
pressing for the abolition of the Capitulations, nor would there have been any prospect
of the foreign Powers concerned consenting to it.
4. No useful purpose would be served by allowing Nationalist leaders to come to
London and advance immoderate demands which cannot be entertained. His Majesty’s
Government would always be ready to listen with sympathy to any reasonable proposals
on the part of the Ministers or other Egyptians and would welcome a visit from Rushdy
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. and Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. to express their views, although it may well be desirable to
adopt an .earlier suggestion of yours that a commission should visit Egypt and report
before any reforms are decided. But the proposed visit of the two Ministers would not
be opportune at the present moment. During the next few months both I myself and
other competent authorities will be fully engaged in the negotiations in connection with
peace, entailing absence from London, and we should not be able to devote sufficient
time and attention to problems of Egyptian internal reforms. In the circumstances
you should request the Ministers to defer their visit for the present. I consider that
when they do come your presence here will be essential. It is so important to get on
with the preparation of the codes which must be promulgated before the new courts in
Egypt, that Sir W. Brunyate should concentrate his energies in pressing forward the
work of the Capitulations Commission with the utmost energy.
No. 5.
Mr. Balfour to Sir R. Wingate. •
(No. 1463.)
(Telegraphic.) Foreign Office, December 2, 1918.
YOUR telegrams Nos. 1751 and 1752.
I note that Extremist leaders are exploiting fact ot your having received them at
Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , which was unfortunate. You will, of course, make it perfectly clear that
you view this agitation and all those who participate in it with extreme disfavour.
I also attach importance to the Sultan and Ministers showing that they entirely share
this attitude with you. I understand that the leaders of the movement do not carry