Correspondence with A J Balfour, Sir R Wingate, Lord Allenby, Lord Milner and others on Egypt [‎9r] (17/300)

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at the time consider Prime Minister’s resignation as necessarily final, but said I would
report it to you.
Shortly afterwards I received your telegram No. 1463.
In view of its terms I thought it desirable to see the Sultan again, and impress on
him clearly once more seriousness of attitude assumed by himself and Prime Minister
at moment when Nationalist leaders were calling in question existence of protectorate.
I visited His Highness accordingly this morning. I pointed out the futility of
the Prime Minister’s resignation for reasons given by him, and emphasised again that
His Majesty’s Government were most desirous to discuss the future of the Government
of Egypt with Egyptians, but that it was materially impossible for them to do so now.
I warned him in a most serious manner of the dangers of connection with any present
agitation. The Sultan asserted his loyalty to the protectorate, and stated emphatically
that he had given no encouragement whatever to Saad Zaghlul or to Omar Toussoun,
and that their move should not be taken too seriously, but he repeated his views as
to necessity for Ministers visiting London, saying that in this way alone could
Egyptian standpoint be understood. Otherwise there could be no permanent or
satisfactory solution. No argument that I could use would induce him to alter his
views which he shared with 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. that it was essential that
they should proceed now to London. I again pointed out that they would be surer
of a fuller and more patient hearing when His Majesty’s Government were less
preoccupied, but I failed to carry conviction. The Sultan and his two Ministers appear
to be obsessed with fear that some vital decision may be given in regard to Egypt,
and that purely Egyptian point of view may not be heard. Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , in an
interview with Mr. Dunlop announcing his resignation, referred feelingly to Indians—
even extremist agitators—being .given a hearing both in India by Mr. Montagu and
i,n England, and that he had heard Emir Feisal has gone to France. He deplored
refusal of His Majesty’s Government to allow him and Rushdy to proceed, and that
decision had deeply wounded their amour-'pro'pre.
Before leaving the palace the Sultan informed me that he would send for Rushdy
and consult with him and Ministers on the latest communication I had made.
A few hours later Rushdy called and handed me the following note :—
“ Je suis demissionnaire depuis avant-hier; c’est par consequent au nouveau
Cabinet que la nouvelle communication du Gouvernement britannique doit dtre faite.
Je suis desormais sans aucune qualite of&cielle pour exprimer une opinion quelconque
surlla demande objet de cette communication; mais je puis dire a titre purement
privb qu’exiger du Sultan de reprouver dans une declaration publique des Egyptiens
qui s’adressent au Gouvernement britannique lui-meme pour plaider la cause de leur
pays, c’est risquer de tuer moralement le Sultan aux yeux de son peuple, non seulement
sans aucune utilite pour la Grande-Bretagne, mais, au contraire, a son detriment, car
quelle aide le protector at trouverait-il en un Souverain qui n’aurait aucune prise sur
son peuple, qui serait, au contraire, meprise et nie par lui ? II est d’autant plus
inopportun d’exiger une telle declaration du Souverain que jusqu’ici on n’a pas
regie le rbgime du protectorat dans un sens liberal pour TEgypte.”
I understand that resignations are irrevocable. It is regrettable that we should
lose two of the best Ministers, and formation of a new Cabinet will be no easy matter.
No. 7.
Sir R. Wingate to Mr. Balfour.—[Received December 7.)
(No. 1812.)
(Telegraphic.) Cairo, December 5, 1918.
IN continuation of my telegram No. 1810, I have heard from Sirry Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , Minister
of Public Works and War, that neither he nor Wahba, Sarwat, and Ziwar Pashas,
respectively Minister of Finance, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Wakfs, were
informed of resignations of Rushdy and Adly until they all met on 2nd December
in latter’s house. These four, in varying degrees, argued at meeting against resigna
tions, but could not convince Rushdy and Adly.
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