Typescript and printed cabinet papers and parliamentary papers on events in Egypt [‎112r] (223/520)

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No. 23.
Field-Marshal Viscount Allenby to the Marquess Curzon of
Kc<IJcston.—{Received January 12.)
(Telegraphic.) Cairo, January 12, 1922.
YOUR telegram of the 15th ultimo.
I propose with your Lordship’s approval to address to the Sultan
a letter, the text of which is given in my following telegram, an l
at the same time to announce that a Ministry has been formed under
Sarwat Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , the names of whom are reported in my preceding
telegram. The list was brought to me by Sarwat this evening, and
constitutes a powerful and representative Ministry. There is no
doubt that Sarwat has succeeded in winning over the soundest
elements in Egypt. The politicians mentioned have definitely
undertaken on the policy of my draft letter to the Sultan to take
office under Sarwat.
The intention of the first four paragraphs of my draft letter to
His Highness is to remove misapprehension regai'ding the
letter which under your instructions I addressed to him on
3rd December. The articles of the draft treaty, which have been
most misrepresented, are dealt with in paragraph 5. The motive of
the deportation of Zaghlul and his associates is explained in
paragraph 7. The goodwill of His Majesty’s Government Is
emphasised in paragraphs 8 and 9. and I concur in the principles
of Sarwat’s programme in the two subsequent paragraphs. Those
matters which formed part of the draft treaty, but are not referred
to in Sarwat’s programme, are as stated in paragraph 13 reserved
tor subsequent discussion. The question of the compensation of
British officials is not mentioned, but the views of Sarwat are quite
reasonable on this subject, which can be dealt with separately
whenever the Egyptian Government desire.
The question of British troops in Egypt is covered by
reservation A. Articles 6, 11 and 14 of draft treaty are covered by
reservation B. Articles 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 23 to 26 are
covered by reservation C.
Paragraph 10 of draft letter, however, makes, as you will observe,
a concession over the protectorate, which is more than Sarwat, as
stated in the first paragraph of my second telegram of 12th December,
originally contemplated.
It was stated in the last paragraph of the former letter to the
Sultan that His Majesty’s Government were prepared to consider
any methods which might be suggested for carrying out the substance
of their proposals. Such a method is contained in the scheme now
put forward (c/. my following telegram, paragraph 13).
The disorders following on Zaghlul’s deportation were shorter and
less serious than might well have been anticipated. Many Egyptians
viewed it correctly not as a tyrannical act of repression, but as a
necessary preliminary to a final effort to create friendly relations
between the two countries, which are surely sought for by His
Majesty’s Government and which the Egyptians, though their hopes
have not hitherto been realised, still desire. They therefore
considered the deportations both necessary and desirable. This
promise to abolish the protectorate is, T am convinced, the only wav
to retain the goodwill of those political elements in Egypt which
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