File of printed papers marked 'Egyptian negotiation' between Curzon and Adly Pasha and the Egyptian delegation [‎6r] (11/178)

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I he visit to lanta of one member of the Mission led to serious riots, which continued
lor many days and were only quelled by the intervention of the military. These
demonstrations naturally to some extent hampered our work. But they certainly
tailed in their main object, for it was impossible not to come to the conclusion that,
il the Egyptians were really so unanimous as we were intended to think, we should
have been left to find that out for ourselves by going about the country without let or
hindrance. .ns .r
It must not be supposed that the boycott of the Mission, carried out as it mainly
was by students and schoolboys, was approved by educated Egyptians generally,
or even by all those who held advanced Nationalist views. Rudeness to strangers
appeared to them inconsistent with the courtesy and hospitality upon which all
Egyptians pride themselves. Moreover, there were a large number of men who were
really anxious to bring their views before the Mission, but were deterred from doing
so by tear of the personal annoyance to which they might in consequence be exposed.
It was, therefore, suggested to us in many quarters that, if only we would make it
clear, that by appearing before the Mission a man did not necessarily compromise his
position as a Nationalist, the barrier to free converse would be removed. We accor-
dingly drew up the following declaration, which was published on the 29th December
in the Official Journal and the press : —
I he British Mission has been struck by the existence of a widespread
belief that the object of its coming is to deprive Egypt of rights which it has
hitherto possessed. There is no foundation whatever for this belief. The
Mission has been sent out by the British Government, with the approval of
Parliament, to reconcile the aspirations of the Egyptian people with the special
interests which Great Britain has in Egypt and with the maintenance of the
legitimate rights of all foreign residents in the country.
We are convinced that wdth goodwill on both sides this object is attain
able, and it is the sincere desire of the Mission to see the relations of Great
Britain and Egypt established on a basis of friendly accord which will put an
end to friction and will enable the Egyptian people to devote the whole of their
energies to the development of their country under self-governing institutions.
In pursuance of this task the Mission desires to hear all views, whether of
representative bodies or individuals who have the welfare of their country at
heart. All opinions may be freely expressed. There is no wish on the part of the
Mission to restrict the area of discussion nor need any man fear to compromise
his convictions by appearing before it. He will be no more compromised by
expressing his opinions than the Mission will be compromised by hearing them.
Without a perfectly frank discussion it is difficult to put an end to misunder
standing and arrive at agreement.”
This declaration certainly had some effect in mitigating hostility, but it did not
get over the reluctance of Egyptians generally to enter into formal relations with
the Mission. We therefore made up our minds that, as far as Egyptian opinion
was concerned, we must rely upon our individual opportunities of social intercourse
with men of various classes to elicit it. As such opportunities constantly presented
themselves, and as the people whom we thus met, and who certainly included most of
the leaders of Egyptian opinion, expressed their views in private with the greatest
frankness and unreserve, we succeeded during the three months of our stay in verv
thoroughly gauging the main currents of thought and feeling in the Egyptian world.
While a good deal of time was spent in these conversations, we were also busily
engaged in studying the situation from an entirely different angle. In addition to
the carefully prepared volumes of official documents drawn up for the instruction of
the Mission by the Foreign Office, a very considerable amount of valuable evidence
had been collected before our arrival by an Information Committee instituted by the
High Commissioner, which had obtained the considered views, on many issues, of
prominent officials, of unofficial residents and representative bodies. The study and
collation of these views, which had been ably edited by the Secretary of the Com
mittee, Captain B. A. Hooper, occupied some time. I^hey remain as an important
source of information at the disposal of His Majesty’s Government.
While the perusal of this mass of documents was of the greatest assistance to us,
we sought to supplement the information contained in them by getting into personal
touch with as many members of the British community, official and unofficial, as we
had time to see, as well as with the principal foreign residents, who, of course, had
no hesitation about coming into open and constant contact with the Mission. The