File of printed papers marked 'Egyptian negotiation' between Curzon and Adly Pasha and the Egyptian delegation [‎71r] (141/178)

-This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty^ Government,]
CONFIDENTIAL. / /
.— —-
7
EGYPTIAN NEGOTIATIONS
[E 9814/260/16]
Summary of Progress of the Negotiations with the Egyptian Delegation
up to August 25, 1921.
IT is proposed to take the principal clauses, as submitted to and approved by the
Cabinet, one by one and trace the progress which has been made with each up to
date.
1(1). Termination of the Protectorate.
2. This clause has not been discussed, as its scope has already been defined in the
declaration made to the Sultan by Lord Allenby in February 1921.
II (2). Military Occupation.
3. The objects of His Majesty’s Government were defined in the following
formula sent to the delegation on the 13th July :—
“ The objects for which the maintenance of a British force in Egypt is
required are, as viewed by His Majesty’s Government, four in number, and may be
thus roughly defined :—
“ 1. The protection, both in peace and war, of the Imperial line of
communications.
“ 2. Assistance to the Egyptian Government when required for the defence of
the integrity of Egyptian territory against external attack.
“ 3. The protection of foreign interests in Egypt, as provided for by the new
treaty.
“4. Assistance to the Egyptian Government, when required, for the
suppression of grave disorder, or the defence of public security.
“ For the discharge of these obligations it is proposed that British forces
shall have free passage through Egypt, and shall be maintained at such places in
Egypt and for such periods as may from time to time be determined. I hey shall
also, at all such times, have facilities for the acquisition and use of barracks,
exercise grounds, aerodromes and naval yards, and for the free use of naval
harbours.
“ The British Government is prepared to discuss with the Egyptian Govern
ment in the most friendly way the best manner in which to carry out these
requirements.”
4. The delegation on the 26th July defined the only terms on which they were
prepared to agree to the presence in Egypt of British troops as follows:
“ Le maintien de troupes britanniques sur le territoire egyptipn en temps de
paix n’aurait d’autre objectif que la sauvegarde des communications imperiales.
Ces troupes seraient cantonnees dans la region du Canal en dehors de la zone
neutre ; les aerodromes et autres services auxiliaires seraient etablis dans la meme
region. La presence de ces troupes ne constituerait pas une occupation^ militaire
et ne porterait en aucune fagon atteinte aux droits de souverainete de 1 Egypte.
“A Texpiration d’un delai a determiner, les deux Gouvernements
examineraient la question de savoir si les communications imperiales peuvent etre
assurees sans la presence de ces troupes.
“ Quant au droit de passage sur le territoire egyptien et Tusage des ports et
aerodromes egyptiens, ils seraient reserves pour le temps de guerre. 11 resterait
bien entendu que I’figypte offrirait toute facilite de transport entre la region oil
seraient cantonnees les troupes et le port le plus proche.”
421 o [6870]