أوراق مكتوبة بالآلة الكاتبة وأوراق مطبوعة لمجلس الوزراء وأوراق برلمانية عن الأحداث في مصر [ظ‎‎١‎١‎٢] (٥٢٠/٢٢٤)

20
have dealt with us honestly and lent us their support at times when
it was difficult enough for them to do so, and in this way also we
shall lessen the enmity of hostile elements.
It seems to me equally certain that the present is the most
suitable moment for this concession. We cannot hope that the
atmosphere of calm expectancy which now exists will continue unless
we give some striking proof of our conciliatory attitude. If the hopes of
Egypt are once more disappointed not only will it be impossible to get
an Egyptian Government, but 1 despair of any future for the country,
which will relapse into a state of alternating outbreaks and
repressions, which do harm both to Egypt and Great Britain and of
which J have already seen enough. The end would be either the
annexation of a violently hostile country which would require to be
governed by force, or else complete capitulation on the part of His
Majesty’s Government. We have been used to expect the world to
admire our work in Egypt. I can imagine no more deplorable end
to it. My proposals are put forward after protracted negotiations
with Sarwat and his immediate adherents, who have been in touch
with a wider range of opinion, and with Adly Pasha, whose assistance
has been disinterested and valuable. I have the solid and whole
hearted support of my advisers, who differ from me in no particular.
I must therefore urge your Lordship most earnestly to press His
Majesty’s Government to authorise the delivery of the draft letter
to the Sultan without delay and without modification.
I should be grateful for a telegraphic reply.
No. 24.
Field-Marshal Viscount Allrnbi/ to the Marquess Curzon of
Kedleston.—(Received January 12.)
(Telegraphic.) Cairo, January 12, 1022.
FOLLOWING is the message to Sultan of Egypt referred to in
my immediately preceding telegram : —
' Your Highness,
“1. I have the honour to bring to your Highness’ notice that
certain passages of explanatory note which I addressed to you on
drd December, 1921, have been interpreted, to my great disappoint
ment, in a manner not in accordance with intentions and policy of
His Majesty’s Government.
“ 2. Judging by many comments which have been published on the
subject of this note, it would appear that many Egyptians are under
impression that Great Britain is about to abandon her liberal and
favourable attitude towards Egyptian aspirations, and that she
proposes to make use of her special position in Egypt in order to
maintain a political and administrative regime incompatible with
freedom she has offered.
“ 3. Such an interpretation of intentions of His Majesty’s Govern
ment is quite mistaken. On the contrary, explanatory note emphasises
dominating principle that guarantees claimed by Great Britain are
not designed to involve continuance of an actual or virtual protecto
rate. Great Britain, as it is stated therein, sincerely desires to see
‘ an Egypt enjoying national prerogatives and international position
of a sovereign State.’