Report of the Special Mission to Egypt under Lord Milner, and related papers [‎105r] (211/473)

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LCRD ALLEN3 y jiaid that he thought opinion ’.vas unanimous
that something in the nature of Lord Milner’s scheme would
be quite workable, but he would like to point out that this
view was held before the scheme provided for representation
in ‘'oreic?^ countries, and he thought most of the British
officials in Egypt would be very shy of this provision.
LORD MILNER said he did not think
that the system, under which an Egyptian Minister had
control, with British Civil Servants working under him,
would not work. Egypt remained overshadowed by British
power, and he believed they were much better disposed to us
than to anyone else. There was also the question of the
accessibility . of Egypt by sea, and with our sea power we could
do practically what we liked strategically. Moreover, by her
own act we were to have a permanent base in Egypt. As regards
it must be rer r-^erod that under th 01 prcnoced scheme
the possibility of to reign intrigues in Egypt,vaa
to ha ,r e an Alliance with us, and ~ith us only.
Mr BONAR LAW thought that, with good ill on the part of
the Egyptians, the proposed scheme might work, but if not,
it appeared to him to be hopeless. He very much doubted if
th fourteen foreign Pov.'ers who had Capitulatory rights
would be willing to agree to the proposals* He did not think
r or a movent that if th r * British O-o^eminent were in the
plac^ one thsse Powers they would do so.
Some discussion then ensued, during which considerable
doubt was expressed as to how, under the proposed scheme, it
would be possible to prevent the French or any other foreign
Power from intriguing in Egypt and gradually strengthening
tVir position.
The question \ as also discussed as to the extent to which
Kis Majesty's Govern:.ont would be responsible for providing
troops for the maintenance of .internal order in Egypt and
the protection of the property of foreigners in the case 01
the Egyptian Army proving unreliable.