Typescript and printed cabinet papers and parliamentary papers on events in Egypt [‎134r] (267/520)

tnuch or little. They may point to a revival of the Adly discus
sions under less f'^vournb Le' condl^ti/O'ne, he cause the Government
with v/hich ■we-''should conduct then would already, if pailiament
had a-pirroTod. the criggested pr-agraimc, have acquired independance
and might utilise its position to he ohstinate on ? ny cr all of
the reser , /ed points, erron resigning if it did not et its way and
making as much trouble for us, inside and outside of T;gypt, as
it could.
On the other hand if such a Government proved reasonable,
we might obtain conditions approximating to those which some of
my colleagues were prepared to Join me in conceding two months
ago.. With that object in view, if we generally fall in with Lord
Allenby T s proposals, we can still, I think, safeguard the position
by saying that while prepared to discuss these subjects with an
Egyptian Government as soon as it has shown its capacity success
fully to undertake the administration of the country, anu while
anxious to advocate a solution with regard to all of them, our
views have been sufficiently clearly indicated to leave the
Egyptian Government in no doubt as to the basis upon which the
discussions must proceed.
Of course it may be held that even this is dangerous. I
concede an element of danger. The question is whether it is
greater or less than the danger of refusing Lord Allenby’s advice
and exposing ourselves with our eyes open to the alternative
which he very clearly depicts. The•situation is not quite what
it was when we had broken off with Adly Pacha. Ve now have the
High Commissioner making definite proposals which we shall assume
no small responsibility if we reject. We have so far failed to
get ar.y sort of native ministry. We now have the chance (in all
probability the last one) of obtaining one on terms which if they
are onerous arc in no sense humiliating. V. r e are warned of the
grave consequences if we refuse... The Irish settlement, so far
from helping us, will greatly have encouraged the Egyptians, for
they see British, troops being withdrawn in tote from Ireland, a
position/