Reports and papers of the Egyptian Administration Committee [‎44r] (87/108)

SECRET
W/.R CABINET,
1 /
Memorandum f r om Mr E. S ,
Aden, Ra ded 4th ITcVemb cr
Mont agu at S . S , ^Kaisor-I-Hi nd 11
_ to Sir_L:aur tc-e Hankcy .
I post this Kern or an dun from Aden in the Belief that it nay
he of some interest to the War Cabinet. Quite unexpectedly I
found myself in Cairo, waiting for a P. & 0. steamer which was a
few days late. I spent my time endeavouring to learn something
jf the situation in Egypt, and I have formed some opinions, which
must be accepted in the spirit in which I formed them, - that of a
traveller keenly interested in all the aspects and c:ncerned with
some wf them. Let me say that I formed a good opinion of Sir
Reginald Wingate, I hope not prejudiced by the most considerate
hospitality and patient discussion of the matters I asked him
about* He is not perhaps a very clever man. His great knowledge
of this part of the world and his character and manner have given
him, so far as i can judge, a striking hold ovef the respect and
affections, so far as they have any, of the Egyptians. This is a
tremendous asset, and in these critical times of very great value.
He differs from UacHahon in three particulars. He speaks French
excellently, whereas MacMahon could hardly speak it at all*
MacMahon brought with him, I think, the attitude of the Indian
Political Officer to the Indian, which is very different from, and
in many respects compares unfavourably with, the attitude of the
Egyptian administrator to the Egyptian. UacMahon necessarily by
his slight acquaintance with the country was much influenced, and
in fact is said to have been guided entirely by the advice and
opinion of Lord Edward ’Cecil and Sir William Brunyate. This has
led to two results: one, a certain amount of sensitiveness at the
change of condition due to the replacement of MacMahon by Wingate
on the part of those associated with Wingate generally: and, two.