Report of the Special Mission to Egypt under Lord Milner, and related papers [‎4r] (7/473)

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In that case it appears desirable still to keep the door open and to let it be clearly
understood that Great Britain is at all times prepared to tftiter into a treaty with
Egypt on the above lines provided there is a reasonable prospect of its acceptance by
the majority of the Egyptians and of their subsequent good-will and co-operation,
which it is the object of the treaty to ensure.
^ ithout the conclusion of such a treaty no relaxation of British control is either
possible or desirable. Indeed, it may be necessary for Great Britain to undertake fresh
responsibilities. It is impossible to allow the decline of governmental authority, due to
the inherent weakness of the present system, to continue.
IV.— Administrative Reforms.
Apart from the general questions of policy above discussed, there are certain
changes in the organisation* and spirit of the administration which are, in any case,
desirable.
(A .)—The Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. .
Owing to a variety of causes, of which the frequent changes of British agents and
High Commissioners since the departure of Lord Cromer and the disturbing influences
of the war have been the chief, British policy in Egypt has of late years been fluctuating
and incoherent. In the absence of consistent leadership, departments have gone their
own way. Definiteness of aim and a clear lead from the supreme direction are needed
to re-establish discipline and co-ordination.
In order to enable the High Commissioner to recover his authority, and to restore
unity of purpose throughout the administration, the staff of the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. should be
reorganised. The chief aim of such reorganisation should be to ensure continuity, and
the constant presence at the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. of an adequate number of men of local knowledge
and experience.
The staffing of the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. would be facilitated by the establishment of a single
civil service for the Near East. If, as seems probable, it will be necessary to provide
for a number of British officials in other Arab countries besides Egypt and the Soudan,
the likelihood of obtaining men of the right stamp for the service of any of these
countries, and of being able to make the best use of them, would be greatly enhanced
by their interchangeability and by the prospects of a wider career than any that a
number of small separate services can afford. We have been greatly impressed by the
advantages of the limited measure of interchangeability which at present exists between
the Soudan and Egypt.
[Cairo is the best centre of information for the Islamic world, and the point from
which British policy in all the Arab countries could most efficiently be directed. If it
were found possible, when Great Britain’s responsibilities in the Near East have been
defined, to give the High Commissioner at Cairo the general supervision over British
activities in all the Arab countries, it would at the same time facilitate his task in
controlling the Government of Egypt and make that control less obnoxious to the
Egyptians.]
The reorganisation of the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. must be supplemented by a better system for
dealing with Egyptian affairs in London. The questions which constantly arise with
regard to Egypt are not wholly or mainly diplomatic, but administrative and political.
Whether or not the control of British policy in Egypt is confided to a new department
for the Middle East, it certainly requires closer and more constant attention, supported
by a greater degree of expert knowledge than it has hitherto received at home.
(B .)—British Officials in the Egyptian Service.
A great and increasing amount of criticism has’ been levelled, not only by
Egyptians, at the number of British officials in the Egyptian service. It is alleged to
be excessive and constantly increasing, while the average quality of the men is said to
be deteriorating.
As regards the alleged excessive number of British officials, it is obvious that
since the early days of the occupation, when a relatively small number were appointed
to co-operate in the Egyptian service and to deal with comparatively simple problems,
there has been, with the expansion of the administrative machine, a very large increase
* Only recommendations of a general character can be included in this summary. Detailed suggestions
with regard to several Departments are contained in the Appendices.