'Note by the Aga Khan and M. A. Ali Baig on the situation in Egypt' [‎57r] (5/10)

and responsibilities attaching to the position of a Sovereign, could deepen
the sense of friendly co-operation essential to the unhampered furtherance
of Egyptian as well as Imperial interests. He asked us to convey to His
Majesty and to the Ministers of the Crown a message of his sincere goodwill
and his assurances of his faithfulness to the Hritish connection. He added
that during the present crisis and in future his unswerving loyalty in
rendering all possible services to the Empire and to his country may be
fully relied upon.
We were deeply impressed by the tone of genuine sincerity which
characterised His Highness’ conversations, and w^e believe that his firm
adhesion to the British cause is beyond question.
THE MINISTERS AND THEIR ADVISERS.
(14.) From the conversations of the Ministers, with almost all of whom
we had opportunities of discussing the Egyptian situation in a friendly and
informal manner, we gathered that they desired a free and frank interchange
of views on the advice tendered to them before it was given effect to. It
was hinted that it occasionally happened that a candid examination of the
advice from a different angle of view was resented and attributed to obduracy.
This naturally impaired in some degree the cordiality of relations between
the Minister and his Adviser, and left unpleasant impressions on the minds
of both. As a consequence, the removal of an otherwise capable Minister
was sometimes rendered expedient, and the impression gained ground that
only those Ministers who were willing to surrender their judgments would
be acceptable. This was probably a somewhat over-coloured view of the
situation, but the belief undoubtedly exists in the minds of many Egyptian
politicians that freedom of judgment is occasionally at a discount. It is
fully realised that in the settlement of questions which are vital to Imperial
interests, firmness cannot be sacrificed to a hesitating desire for conciliation
or compromise. It is also recognised that the effect on British prestige of
an uncertain and vacillating attitude in a country where the people
instinctively lean towards the authority which in their belief possesses the
substance of real power, must be fully guarded against. But in ordinary
circumstances an unbending attitude, which excludes an unprejudiced
examination of any question, may sometimes be carried too far and produce
results which in the long-run may be detrimental to British prestige, which
can only be maintained on a foundation of justice and fair play.
(15.) An atmosphere of mutual trust and goodwill which welcomes
friendly and dispassionate criticism from either side, before the adminis
tration is committed to any course of action, will, it is believed, advance the
highest Imperial as well as Egyptian interests and inspire the leaders of the
people with confidence.
The above observations have no particular reference to the present body
of Advisers, most of whom are held in high esteem.
THE NATIONALISTS.
(16.) The Nationalist movement, which aimed at the termination of the
British occupation and the absolute independence of Egypt, received a check
in 1907, when the ex-Khedive co-operated with Sir Eldon Gorst in repressing
it. During the regime of Lord Kitchener the activities of the Nationalists
were further neutralized and with greater effect by the measures he adopted.
It seems, however, from what we have seen and heard in Egypt that the
Nationalist spirit is not dead but dormant. The students, especially of the
Law School in Cairo, and those who receive their education in foreign
countries, are peculiarly susceptible to the propagandism of the Nationalists.
(17.) The few exponents of Nationalist views with whom we had conver
sations seemed to think that if a policy of greater trust in the representatives