Printed papers on the political situation and military policy in Egypt [‎31v] (62/176)

negotiating with the British Government as “King George V. negotiating with
King George W' Public excitement began to assume alarming proportions. An
awkward incident occurred at Tanta on the 29th April, arising out of a Zaghlulist
demonstration against the Government in which the police fired on the crowd, killing
five and wounding six. The Government were pressed for satisfaction, and,
contrary to my advice, which was that the firmest possible attitude should be
maintained, they agreed to an enquiry, with the result that reflection was cast upon
the police commandant’s action and the moral of the police force in Egypt was
shaken.
3. Alexandria Riots.
i. this weakness had the effect which was to be expected. A fortnight later-
riots broke out in Cairo and Alexandria. In the latter place they lasted several days,
and only ceased on the appearance of British troops. Numerous foreigners,
principally Greeks, were clubbed, stoned or otherwise done to death by the fanatical
mob, in most cases without the smallest provocation. In several instances petroleum
was poured over the bodies, which were set fire to. Great credit is due to Ingram
Bey. Acting Commandant of Police at Alexandria, who worked indefatigably and
totally regardless of the extreme risks he ran in endeavouring to maintain discipline
and saving the Europeans from the fury of the mob. The Greek consul officially
expressed the appreciation of his Government of the invaluable services performed
hv the officers and men of the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters, under Colonel
Fay lor, in saving many of his compatriots lives. A military court of enquiry, with
Judge J. F. Kershaw in attendance, was convened to report upon the origin and
course of the disturbances and the measures taken to deal with them. The con
clusions of the court, whose very full report was published in London (“ Egypt,
No. 3,’ 1921), were " that the Zaghlul Party were determined to force the Govern
ment to repeat the Tanta incident. The Government were just as determined that it
should not. In the face of the weakness of the Government, the mobs got bolder and
bolder, until they got definitely out of hand and thought they might act with
impunity." The court also found that there was no evidence to support the Egyptian
view that the riots were caused by Greeks firing on peaceful demonstrations. 1,419
Egyptians were brought to trial, thirty-eight of them on capital charges, before a
military court, with Judge I horp, of Elis Britannic Majesty’s Supreme Consular
Court, acting as assessor. Of those tried for capital offences, sixteen were executed
and six commuted to penal servitude. Of the others, 189 were acquitted and the
remainder sentenced to varying terms of punishment. The entire responsibility for
the maintenance of order in Alexandria has remained in the hands of the British
military authorities ever since.
4. Formation of Delegation under Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. .
8. During the weeks succeeding the advent to power of the Adly Ministry, the
Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. gave such assistance as it could to facilitate the formation of the delega
tion, but without taking any responsibility for the Ministerial programme. The
delegation was eventually formed on the basis of a letter addressed to the Sultan by
Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , the principal points of which were (1) that the object of the Egyptian
negotiators would be the abolition of the protectorate, not only in respect of relations
with Great Britain, but with foreign Powers as well, so that Egypt might be con
stituted an independent State both internally and externally; and (2) that
consequently the Egyptian delegates considered themselves committed to the reserva
tions presented by Zaghlul Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. to Lord Milner in November. It may be convenient
to state here what those reservations were :—
(i.) Formal abolition of the protectorate.
(ii.) Suppression of the second stipulation of sub-section (a) of article 3 of the
Milner Memorandum to the effect that “ Egypt will confer upon Great
Britain such rights as are necessary to safeguard her special interests
and to enable her to furnish the guarantees which must be given to foreign
Powers to secure the relinquishment of their capitulatory rights.”
(iii.) Suppression of the clause subordinating the coming into force of the treaty
to the acceptance by the Powers of the transfer of their capitulatory
rights to Great Britain and to the promulgation of decrees on the subject
of the reorganisation of the Mixed Courts.