ملف من أوراق مطبوعة مصنفة تحت عنوان "التفاوض المصري" بين كرزون وعدلي باشا والوفد المصري [ظ‎‎٥‎٠] (١٧٨/١٠٠)

some force in this argument, but it was not conclusive. An Egyptian Minister would
carry far more weight than could any unaccredited agent. He thought the delegation
must realise tins.
There was another point. The delegation asked by what aberration any Egyptian
Government could desire to employ an agent to work against the alliance, which would
be of such importance and value to Egypt.
Lord Curzon hoped that they were right in taking this view, but he could imagine
a situation when Great Britain might be at war with some other country where a
tendency might exist in the Egyptian Government o! the day to do some fishing in
troubled waters. Again, with regard to the position of the High Commissioner in
Egypt, he had suggested that there should be close relationship between the High
Commissioner and the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The delegation said that this
might give rise to the thought that the whole Ministry of Foreign Affairs was being
put entirely under the control of the High Commissioner. Of course Lord Curzon h id
not intended anything of the kind.
Sidky Pasha wished to assume that all Egyptian financiers in the future would be
excellent and irreproachable people. Similarly, Lord Curzon wished to assume that His
Majesty’s representatives in Egypt would in future be sensible people. He did not
anticipate that whoever might in the future occupy Lord Allenby s position he should
poke his nose into all Egyptian affairs, but he did think that the Minister f >r Foreign
Affairs should be able to go to the High Commissioner and talk things over with him.
In the British dominions, which were in effect independent, the governors, who
represent the King, were in practice consulted and kept informed of the course of
affairs by the Prime Ministers. Lord Curzon only wished that the High Commissioner
or Ambassador, or whatever he was called, should not be left out in the cold.
Adly Pasha said that they were not protesting against the fact, but against the
formula.
Lord Curzon said that that objection was made to everything, and that they were
always assuring him that when they returned to Cairo they would put on wings and
become angels.
Adly Pasha said that he thought it might be possible to find a formula which
would clearly emphasise the close relationship between the two Governments.
Lord Curzon said that he could see no objection whatever to stating that the
British High Commissioner or Ambassador should have the powers he suggested.
Unless this official knew what was going on it would be impossible for him to render
useful assistance.
Lord Curzon then turned to the question of the conclusion of treaties. He had
suggested that political treaties should only be concluded with British consent. The
delegation pointed out that this would he an obligation on the Egyptian Govern
ment, created by the treaty itself, which would prevent them from entering into any
agreement prejudicial to British interests.
Lord Curzon, however, wished to point out that, according to their view, they
themselves were to be the judge of what was or was not prejudicial to British interests,
whereas it was obvious that Great Britain alone could decide what was injurious to
her, and this could only be provided for by her retaining the right to control Egypt’s
treaty-making powers. The delegation had, in fact, admitted the principle.
•Mr. Lindsay enquired of Adly Pasha whether he did not think that if Zaghlul
became Minister for Foreign Affairs in the near future he might not attempt to make
a treaty prejudicial to British interests.
Adly Pasha said that he could not in practice do so without upsetting the treaty.
Lord Curzon said that he was not much impressed by these arguments. First
the delegation said that certain things would not happen, and then that if they did
happen they would be contrary to the treaty. This was a matter with regard to which
he would have to be firm. Other matters he was prepared to discuss, such, for instance,
as the title of the High Commissioner, the stage at which Egypt was to be consulted
with regard to the agreements with the Capitulatory Powers and the draft judicature
laws.
He then turned to the military question. In their statement the delegation had
taken up the identical attitude which they hnd assumed during the previous discussions.
Their argument was based on the assumption that in the future no British forces