ملف من أوراق مطبوعة مصنفة تحت عنوان "التفاوض المصري" بين كرزون وعدلي باشا والوفد المصري [و‎‎٣‎٦] (١٧٨/٧١)

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—a riot, loss of life, and the residence of the British High Commissioner surrounded
and attacked, and his life perhaps in danger—was the High Commissioner then to be
unable to call out British troops for his protection simply on the ground that he was
not an Imperial communication ? Lord Curzon said that of course he would have to.
Rushdi Pasha repeated that once there was a treaty there would be no trouble, ami
that the Egyptians could themselves keep order.
Adly Pasha said that the case referred to by Lord Curzon was very exceptional,
and one which might arise in any country.
Lord Curzon replied that it was far more likely to arise in Oriental countries than
elsewhere.
Adly Pasha said that it never had arisen in Egypt, and he thought it was just as
likely to occur in more advanced countries, such as the Balkan States.
Rushdi Pasha said that Egyptian troops would defend foreigners, and that
Egyptians were not fanatics, as during the Alexandria disturbances no attacks on
foreigners had taken place in the villages.
Lord Curzon then referred to the recent report of the Court of Enquiry with
regard to the disturbances at Alexandria, from which it appeared that certain of the
Egyptian troops and the Guard Company of Police, so far from defending the
foreigners, had actually attacked them and had shot from the street at Europeans in
houses. He was being asked, therefore, to trust hhiropeans in the future to troops
who might possibly shoot them down.
Adly Pasha insisted that the conclusions of the Court of Enquiry were open to
question, and could not be accepted until they had more evidence as to exactly what
had occurred and what troops had behaved in the manner suggested. He admitted,
however, that such cases may have occurred.
Lord Curzon said that this risk could not be taken. He added that the Egyptian
delegation had stated their case with great power, and he would have to represent
their views to the Cabinet. Later they must draw up some draft and discuss it in
detail, and he would suggest that this question of the troops should be reverted to later
on, after other points had been discussed. In the last resort they must refer the
question to His Majesty’s Government, who would have to decide.
The next question discussed was that of foreign representation. Lord Curzon said
that he had suggested the revival of an Egyptian Foreign Office and Minister for
Foreign Affairs at Cairo, with full control of foreign affairs, and he had also suggested
that, in view of Great Britain’s special position in Egypt and responsibilities towards
foreign Powers, the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs should remain in close touch
with the British High Commissioner, to whom it was natural that foreigners would
look for the protection of their rights in Egypt. He had suggested that the Egyptian
Government should have consuls for commercial work abroad, but that in cases of a
political nature they should make use of the good offices of British diplomatic repre
sentatives, and that they should not conclude treaties of a political nature without
consultation with the High Commissioner. He understood that these suggestions were
unacceptable to Adly Pasha, who was going to explain to-day what were the features
which he accepted or rejected.
Rushdi Pasha said that he did not think Lord Curzon’o statement of the case was
quite correct.
Lord Curzon said that he did not seek to qualify the rights which Egypt had
enjoyed in the past before the protectorate, and he promised to provide the delegation
with a brief memorandum showing exactly what he proposed.
Adly Pasha said that at the last meeting they had discussed at great length the
question of their foreign representation.
Lord Curzon asked that the points should be taken one by one. In the first place,
he would propose that the British High Commissioner should continue in Egypt and
that, in a spirit of reciprocity, Egypt should be represented in London by a High
Commissioner.
Adly Pasha explained that for Egyptians the terms “ High Commissioner ” and
“ Protectorate ” were synonymous.
Lord Curzon asked what they would like to call them.
Adly Pasha replied : “ Minister.”
Lord Curzon said that that would never do for the British representative.
Adly Pasha said that they admitted that the British representative should have
special powers conferred on him by the treaty, and that he should have a title higher
than that of other foreign Ministers.
Lord Curzon enquired what foreign Ministers in Egypt were called in the old days.