File of printed papers marked 'Egyptian negotiation' between Curzon and Adly Pasha and the Egyptian delegation [‎33r] (65/178)

the “fifth wheel to the coach.” What they required was the advice and co-operation
of an independent man, otherwise abuses and mistakes might arise through which
Great Britain, amongst others, would suffer. All Powers who had interests of a
commercial or financial nature in Egypt were concerned in this. It was most important
that they should have confidence with regard to the future. Lord Curzon then referred
to the title of Financial Adviser, and suggested that it would be preferable that this
official should be called “ Financial Commissioner,” although, in view of the opposition
of the delegation to the title “ High Commissioner,” he hesitated to put this proposal
forward.
Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. agreed to this suggestion, and said that the title of “Financial
Adviser ” had not been popular.
Lord Curzon then read a note setting forth tfie powers which he proposed that
this official should possess, and as to which he hoped there would be no dispute.
He then read a clause giving the Financial Commissioner the right of access to the
Egyptian Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance. He explained that, when in
India, he found that an arrangement of this sort was the most satisfactory, as by it,
without undue interference, the official was able to exercise general supervision. He
drew the attention of the delegation to the fact that the right of access was to
Egyptian Ministers, not to Lord Allenby. He then read out a paragraph restricting
the powers of the Egyptian Government to contract a foreign loan without agreement,
or to pledge the revenue of any public service without the concurrence of the Financial
Commissioner. He said that this was a tentative suggestion, though Lord Allenby
attached great importance to it. Lord Curzon explained that it was in the nature ot
a check, which would not ordinardy come into force at all, but it would tend to prevent
anything really foolish being done. He promised to let the delegation have a copy ot
his suggestions.
L >rd Curzon then said that, when the subject had been discussed in the Cabinet,
the question of irrigation had been raised. Irrigation was, of course, the life-blood of
Egypt, and it had been asked what supervision there would be in the future over this
department, and who would be responsible for seeing that it was properly managed.
He would like to ask the Egyptian delegation what answer they would suggest.
Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. said that the Egyptians themselves would see to this. In practice,
they would naturally for long depend upon the assistance of foreign engineers, as they
had always done in the past.
Lord Curzon asked who would see that mis akes did not occur. He did not
expect an immediate answer, but he suggested that they should give the question
careful consideration. The matter was one which concerned the foreigner, because it
concerned the solvency of Egypt, and that more confidence would exist in the minds ot
foreigners if they knew that there would be some supervision for irrigation outside the
ordinary departmental machine.
Ilushdi Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. said that the fact that Egvpt was so vitally interested in the question,
provided a guarantee that it would receive all care and attention.
Lord Curzon said that the guarantee was not sufficient. He had seen instances of
large native States in In’dia, with a population four times that of Egypt and equally
dependent upon irrigation, where the greatest mistakes had been allowed to occur.
Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. said that since the days of Mohamed Ali, all Egyptians, from the
highest to the lowest, had been so entirely interested in irrigation questions that he
thought, without including anything on the subject in a treaty, they might be confident
with regard to the future.
Lord Curzon then turned to the question of the position of the Judicial
Commissioner. He read the suggestion with regard to this matter contained in Lord
Milner’s memorandum, which he considered erred on the side of vagueness Ihe
reserves put forward the day before had contained a suggestion to do away with tins
official altogether on the grounds that the “ procureur general ’ could perform all the
duties which it had been intended to attach to the post. The powers of the “ procureur
general ” had been discussed and Lord Curzon had thought that he would in no way
correspond to the official envisaged by Lord Milner. He then read a note setting forth
the functions which he considered the Judicial Commissioner should perform, of which
he promised to furnish the delegation with a copy. He would be glad to discuss tiie
question on this basis and to hear, in due course, the views of the delegation.
A brief communique to the press w r as then drawn up and approved.