Coll 15/1 'Egypt Affairs: General Situation 1931; Anglo-Egyptian Treaty, 1936' [‎56r] (112/493)

very firmly in Parliament with the intemperance of certain extreme Nationalist
speakers who endeavoured to upset our treaty relations with Egypt; his last act
was to outline the case for the declaration of war without proposing any ham
and fast conditions regarding national aspirations, though suggesting that the
declaration might be followed by discussions on this subject with His Majesty s
.Government before the San Francisco Conference. To allay the apprehensions
of the Egyptian public (which the Wafd had encouraged) regarding the conse
quences of Egypt’s declaration of war, a statement was issued to the as
from authoritative British sources and on the instructions of the Foreign Office,
explaining that this step did not in any way alter the existing situation as regards
assistance to be furnished by Egypt in virtue of the Treaty. 1 , , . ,
16. Nokrashy Pasha’s attitude towards Great Britain lacked the boldness,
clarity and statesmanship which had distinguished that of his predecessor; his
demeanour was consistently unresponsive, suspicious and hesitant. In dealing
with the subject of Egypt’s national claims he had the advantage of being able
to refer to the consultative committee of senior politicians which his predecessor
had set up, but it is extremely doubtful whether he was able, or indeed willing, to
exert any wholesome influence in the committee’s deliberations. In their celebra
tions of the victory over Germany the Egyptian King, Government and peop e
laid the usual unblushing emphasis on Egypt’s services to the Allied cause and
on Egypt’s right to expect rewards. The Wafd, after our European victory,
intensified their clamour for a settlement of Anglo-Egyptian relations on a basis
of full Egyptian independence; in July Nahas Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. addressed a letter to His
Majesty’s Ambassador couched in moderate terms, placing special emphasis on
the evacuation of foreign troops and on the Sudan question. Nahas 1 asha pointed
out that Egypt desired to reach complete agreement with Great Britain before
attending a peace conference. At this time, however, it was apparent that both
the Palace and the Government were now inclined to stall on the treaty issue,
evidence of this tendency was forthcoming in the Government’s evasive reply to a
Nationalist senator’s interpellation in early August. These temporising tactics
were not, of course, intended as a propitiatory gesture to His Majesty s Govern
ment but were clearlv an expedient inspired by fear lest any engagement as
regards treaty discussions might involve an eventual return to power oi the Wald.
However, on' the 31st August Nokrashy Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. made oral representations to
His Majesty’s Ambassador regarding treaty revision on the eve of Lord Kilieain s
departure for London to take part in the Middle East Conference. He urged
the complete military evacuation of Egypt and referred to the Sudan but sheered
off when warned it was a very thorny subject. The Wafd continuously put forth
accusations of inertia against the Government, and insistently demanded the
immediate opening of negotiations with His Majesty s Government. Following
the defeat of Japan, the consultative committee of eighteen political personalities
met again on the 2nd September and decided that the time had now come to open
negotiations with Egypt’s ally on the basis of the withdrawal of British troops
and the achievement of union of the Sudan with Egypt. King Farouk subse
quently declared his approval of this decision at a I alace luncheon to wh ich e
invited the whole committee. The announcement of this decision encouraged a
number of Egyptian politicians to launch out into nationalist declamations. As
discontent with Nokrashy Pasha’s continued reticence on the subject grew m
political circles, the student elements, particularly those supporting the Wald,
became increasingly vociferous. Makram Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. went to the length of displaying
open resentment by publishing, under a transparent pseudonym, a provocative
newspaper article'which was apparently intended to annoy Nokmshy Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
because the latter failed to keep Makram Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. informed of what he was do ng
about treaty revision. Nor did Makram Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. conceal his indignation at a
suggestion that Nokrashy Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. might visit London for informal conversations
unaccompanied by Makram Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. himself who claimed a priority right to be
associated with any such discussions, or by any other Cabinet Minister As
shown in paragraph 10 above, Makram Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. outmanoeuvred Nokrashy Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
iu this dispute After the consultative committee had again met and adopted
a resolution in favour of presenting an official demand to His Majesty s Govern-
ment for the opening of treaty revision negotiations the Cabinet endbrsed this
recommendation. The timing of the actual approach to His Majesty s Govern
ment through the Egyptian Ambassador in London (Mr Bevin was at that
moment absent in Moscow) led to some days’ delay in the submission of the
Fs-vntian Government’s note to the Foreign Office; Makram Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , in a fit of
pique, anticipated this approach by publishing in his newspaper an accurate