Report of the Special Mission to Egypt under Lord Milner, and related papers [‎228v] (459/473)

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Alexandria stating that he is anxious to transfer part of his capital to some other
country, so as to be able to leave Egypt, should that become necessary.
Everything to-day is uncertain in Egypt, as the people who are interested
financially in the country are waiting to know the results of the discussions that
are now going on concerning its futuie. But if it were certain that Great Britain
had decided not to evacuate Egypt, 1 think there would be little doubt about a
continuation of that country’s prosperity. Egypt has made wonderful progress during
the past twenty years or more, yet there can surely be few countries where the natives
have had so little to do with the results obtained.
Practically all imports and exports are dealt with by foreign firms, who originally
founded these businesses. The finest buildings in Cairo and Alexandria are the woik
of European architects, and are owned by Europeans. 1 he big banks, hotels, &c., are
in no way due to native enterprise.
The attempts made to found purely Egyptian banks'or commercial concerns have
generally been doomed to failure. The Egyptians, or a good many of the Egyptians,
would like to have control of a country they have done little to develop ; but the
Europeans, who have achieved everything under British law 7 and justice, would run the
risk of seeing their life’s work ruined.
The chief cotton-exporting firms of Egypt are British. Many of the most important
banks and land companies are British. They are viewing the prospective change of
Government with real concern. If it is not too late, I should like to express the hope
that some of the prominent English residents in Egypt—men who have spent a
lifetime in the country—should be consulted before any decisions are finally arrived at
w 7 ith the Egyptian Delegation in London. Great Britain has done fine w T ork in Egypt,
and continental countries recognise the fact, however much they may at times try to
belittle this work. .
The British and foreign communities out there have created vast business houses,
and have done their share in making Cairo and Alexandria two of the most prosperous
towns in Africa. Surely the people who have achieved so much are entitled to some
protection from the corruption of the native Law Courts and fiom outbuists of hatied
on the part of the Mohammedan mobs and military forces!
Great Britain has done much for Egypt, and she can do a great deal more by not
allowing her good work to be ruined ; whilst there may be commercial and political
advantages to be derived which will make it worth any country’s while to be strongly
represented there. But if Great Britain should decide to withdraw 7 from Egypt, many
of us will fear that the days of Egypt’s mateHal well-being are at an end, and that
there will in the future be anxious times for many living in that country.
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