Correspondence with A J Balfour, Sir R Wingate, Lord Allenby, Lord Milner and others on Egypt [‎21r] (41/300)

EXTRACTS PROM PRIVATE IETIER PROM SIR R„WIHGATE TO IORB
HARDINGrE , DATED CAIRO 7TE DECEMBER 1918.
tT With reference to interviews , I am somewhat surprised
at the criticism of H.M.G. on fliy reception of the Nation-
-alist leaders at the 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. .
Apart from the fact that I had no precise information as
to the object of their visit until we actually got down to
•7^
business, I hold, in the strongest manner, the view that
the High Commissioner should be accessible to all and
sundry. It is by this means alone that he can hope to keep
touch with all that is going on - It is a considerable
strain and means that much valuable time is taken up in
these interviews - but, in my opinion, they help more than
anything else to keep the Egyptians in touch with the
British control.
If it is really the view of H.k.Gr. that I should not see
representatives of all shades and opinion at the 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. ,
I feel that I ought not to be here,for my conception of
how best to serve my country in my present position is to
act as I have done hitherto.
I cannot conceal from myself the fact that the difficulty
of the High Commissioners position here is very consider-
-able and I suppose, after the long strain of the war, one
is naturally tired - as thousands of others must be.
But I do feel most strongly that the High Commissioner
here must have the complete support of the British Govern-
-ment, the British Officials and the Community and must be