Report of the Special Mission to Egypt under Lord Milner, and related papers [‎33r] (65/473)

No. 2.
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Marl Curzon to Mr. Scott (Cairo).
(No. 751.)
(Telegraphic.) R. Foreign Office, August 21, 1920.
THE accompanying memorandum is the result of conversations held in London in
June to August 1920 between Lord Milner and the members of the special mission
to Egypt and Zaghlul Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. and the members of the Egyptian Delegation, in which
conversations Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. also took part. It outlines a policy for the settlement of
the Egyptian question in the best interests both of Great Britain and Egypt.
The members of the mission are prepared to recommend the British Government
to adopt the policy indicated in the memorandum if they are satisfied that Zaghlul
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. and the delegation are likewise prepared to advocate it, and will use all their
influence to obtain the assent of an Egyptian National Assembly to the conclusion of
such a treaty as is contemplated in articles >> and 4.
It is clear that unless both parties are cordially united in supporting it, the policy
here suggested cannot be pursued with success.
Memorandum.
1. In order to establish the independence of Egypt on a secure and lasting basis
it is necessary that the relations between Great Britain and Egypt should be precisely
defined, and the privileges and immunities now enjoyed in Egypt by the capitulatory
Powers should be modified and rendered less injurious to the interests of the country.
2. These ends cannot be achieved without further negotiations between accredited
representatives of the British and Egyptian Governments respectively in the one case,
and between the British Government and the Governments of the capitulatory Powers
in the other case. Such negotiations will be directed to arriving at definite agreements
on the following lines :—
3. —( 1 .) As between Egypt and Great Britain it is proposed that a treaty should
be entered into, under which Great Britain will recognise the independence of Egypt
as a constitutional monarchy with representative institutions, and Egypt will confer
upon Great Britain such rights as are necessary to safeguard her special interests and
to enable her to furnish the guarantees which must be given to foreign Powers to
secure the relinquishment of their capitulatory rights.
(2.) By the same treaty, an alliance will be concluded between Great Britain and
Egypt, by which Great Britain will undertake to support Egypt in defending the
integrity of her territory ; and Egypt will undertake, in case of war, even when the
integrity of Egypt is not affected, to render to Great Britain all the assistance in her
power within her own borders, including the use of her harbours, aerodromes and
means of communication for military purposes.
4. The proposed treaty will embody stipulations to the following effect:—
( 1 .) Egypt will enjoy the right to representation in foreign countries. In the
absence of any duly-accredited Egyptian representative, the Egyptian Government
will confide its interests to the care of the British representative. Egypt will under
take not to adopt in foreign countries an attitude which is inconsistent with the
alliance or will create difficulties for Great Britain, and will also undertake not to
enter into any agreement with a foreign Power which is prejudicial to British
interests.
(2.) Egypt will confer on Great Britain the right to maintain a military force on
Egyptian soil for the protection of her Imperial communications. The treaty will fix
the place where the force shall be quartered, and will regulate any subsidiary matters
which require to be arranged. The presence of this force shall not constitute in any
manner a military occupation of the country or prejudice the rights of the Govern
ment of Egypt.
(3.) Egypt will appoint, in concurrence with His Majesty’s Government, a
Financial Adviser, to whom shall be entrusted in due course the powers at present
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