Typescript and printed cabinet papers and parliamentary papers on events in Egypt [‎106v] (212/520)

8
the Ministry is enabled to impute to the British authorities the
blame for any errors that are made, and at the same time to take
the credit for all administrative successes in Egypt.
This handicap would, I think, be in a great measure removed
by the provisions of the draft scheme, while the concession which
it contains would not enfeeble or weaken the ultimate degree of
influence which it behoves us to retain.
I quite appreciate that the action I advocate would oblige
His Majesty’s Government to terminate the protectorate by a
unilateral declaration on their part. You will recall that a step such
as this was at one time suggested, and I cannot see why it should
not be taken.
The main argument for insistence on the word “ protectorate ”
is its value in connection with negotiations with foreign Powers.
Apart from this, the term actually signifies very little, in addition
to which it connotes a state of affairs which Egyptians dislike
excessively. As regards Egypt, certain features of the political
situation have rendered it impracticable in several ways to carry
out a policy of protection even in the least stringent sense of the
word. At the present time Egyptians are not looked upon as
British subjects, and the introduction of an Egyptian nationality
law is under consideration. Any further application of international
conventions to Egypt as forming a portion of the British Empire has
been suspended. When one considers that the procedure to which
we must conform demands that all measures affecting such matters
shall receive the assent of an Egyptian Council of Ministers, one
realises that there is small chance either now or hereafter of our
getting these and other similar vital questions satisfactorily settled
on the basis of a protectorate.
These circumstances must eventually lower our prestige, and
should therefore not be permitted to continue.
His Majesty’s Government’s declaration to the Sultan is
equivalent to the declaration of a British Monroe Doctrine over
Egypt. Ender that declaration no foreign Power can any longer
have any interest in the question of what term we elect to employ
in order to define our relations with Egypt. From an international
aspect our policy is perfectly clear, and our position in relation to
foreign countries should be unaffected if we choose to replace the
protectorate proclaimed in 1914 by the recognition of Egypt as a
sovereign State, as indicated in the draft treaty.
It is only after careful examination of all the questions at issue
that I have decided to recommend the adoption of the above
proposals, which are endorsed by my local advisers, whom I have
consulted on the matter.
No. 5.
Field-Marshal Viscount Allcnby to the Marquess Curzon of
Kedleston.—(Received iJecember 7.)
(Telegraphic.) Cairo, December 7, 1921.
ADLY PASHA An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. called to see me this afternoon and said he was
going to see the Sultan to-morrow, and would probably offer his
resignation which he had already discussed with His Highness.
< *
4 4
I *
* *