File of printed papers marked 'Egyptian negotiation' between Curzon and Adly Pasha and the Egyptian delegation [‎32r] (63/178)

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danger, but in any case it was impossible to take precautions against every possible
danger. Unless there was some confidence it would be impossible to arrive at an
agreement. Without representation abroad, he would not feel that the position of
Egypt had changed.
Rushdi Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. expressed his complete agreement with his colleagues. He said that
there was no danger of intrigue, and that Egypt independent would have need, above
all things, of an ally, and that the most powerful ally she could obtain was Great
Britain. He considered not having representatives abroad one of the essential
conditions of the protectorate, and to refuse them the right of foreign representation
was inconsistent with the offer already made to abolish the protectorate. The country
would never accept a settlement that did not include this. It was possible for Great
Britain to impose what regime they pleased, but it depended on the regime imposed
whether Great Britain would have in future a friendly or -an unfriendly Egypt.
Lord Curzon thought that Rushdi Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. put the matter too strongly in maintaining
that the friendship or hostility of Egypt depended on the granting or the withdrawal
of this concession. He asked them to consider what he was proposing. All he asked
was that at Cairo foreign affairs could be conducted in consultation with the High
Commissioner. There was surely nothing incompatible with independence in that.
Abroad, he suggested that they should accept the services of British Ambassadors or
Ministers. He himself remembered how in the past in Lord Cromers time Cairo had
been the greatest focus of intrigue in the world owing to the perpetual struggle
between European Powers such as Italy, France and Germany. Such a situation might
not arise again ; he hoped it would not, but the possibility existed that the position
of Great Britain in Egypt might be challenged. The relations ot Powers were
always changing. We had recently, he was glad to say, been in alliance with France ;
we had not always been so. Similarly, we had been fighting a war with Germany,
whom we were now endeavouring to assist. He could imagine a situation in which
Egyptian representatives in foreign countries might be used by the enemies of Great
Britain. A very different Government might exist in Egypt to the present one. He
fully understood their sentiment with regard to this matter, but he suggested that for
them it was a question of sentiment only. Apart from amour-propre, he asked what
Egyptian interest could sutler through not having representatives abroad.
Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. protested that Egypt would have no political interest from a world
point of view that could induce them to adopt a policy abroad hostile to Great Britain.
The question of sentiment from their point of view was very important. It was well
known that the smallest countries had their own representatives abroad, and the fact
of not having them would naturally be resented. He felt that he might not succeed in
convincing Lord Curzon that there would be no danger in Egypt having diplomatic
representatives, but he could only repeat that, if in the future Egypt really wished to
intrigue, she would do so whether she had such representatives or no, and that public
opinion in his country would reject any agreement which did not provide for such
representation.
Lord Curzon said it was undeniable that if Egypt was to intrigue she would be
able to do so, and there was some weight in that argument ; but he foresaw a situation
in which a party might come into power in Egypt in favour of having no British troops,
no High Commissioner and no foreigners interfering in Egyptian affairs. Such a party
might, by means of their representatives in foreign capitals, build up a very grave
danger to Great Britain. Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. had said they would have no object in doing so,
but could he guarantee that this would he the same in twenty-five years’ time.
Rushdi Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. said that they had intrigued in the past because of the occupation—
perhaps even he himself had intrigued—but if Egypt were independent she would
come to Great Britain for alliance. She would have no interest in doing otherwise.
Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. added that, if they were to have foreign representatives in Egypt,
they could equally well intrigue through them, and repeated that, if it were intended
to provide against every possible risk, they would not be able to arrive at an
agreement.
Rushdi Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. said that, if Egypt were independent, she would have only one fear :
it would be lest Great Britain should be beaten in a war and Egypt beaten with her.
Sidky Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. said that the status before the war was consecrated by no statute ;
it derived its authority solely from the fact of the occupation, and this in itself invited
intrigue. The future arrangement would be legal, and derive its authority from a
treaty, and consequently will not invite intrigue.
Lord Curzon was glad that the members of the delegation were so sanguine and
confident. He himself was not quite so hopeful. He could imagine a situation arising
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