Reports and papers of the Egyptian Administration Committee [‎front] (1/108)

[968—2]
•B
[This Document is the Property of His Britan nic Majesty s Government.]
Printed for the War Cabinet. September 1917.
CONFIDENTIAL
G.T.—2061.
I CIRCULATE to the Cabinet a Memorandum on the future government of
Egypt, drawn up at my request by Lord Edward Cecil, together with two Minutes
by Lord Hardinge and Sir R. Graham. While expressing my strong sense that the
present position is not satisfactory and may easily lead to Parliamentary and other
difficulties, I recognise that it would be unfair to expect the War Cabinet to give
the necessary time for the adequate discussion of this very difficult question. I
venture, therefore, to suggest that it may be referred either to the existing Mesopo
tamia Committee or some other Committee specially constituted for the purpose.
R. C.
MEMORANDUM BY LORD EDWARD CECIL RESPECTING THE FUTURE
GOVERNMENT OF EGYPT.
THE establishment of a British Protectorate over Egypt has naturally led to
the review of the actual system of control exercised by the British Government over
the British officials in Egypt, and through them over the administration of Egypt
itself. For a long time it has been obvious that the control was defective and
inadequate. Such as it is, it has grown up without plan or regular form. In fact,
the question has never been seriously taken up.
The reason of this is simple enough. During the early part of the occupation
the situation was regarded as essentially a temporary one, and therefore beyond
stopping scandalous abuses British interference in internal administration was
restricted to a minimum. The questions of importance were those connected with
foreign influence and aggression rather than domestic matters. As time went on
and it became apparent that Great Britain could not withdraw from Egypt, British
intervention in local affairs increased. Meanwhile Lord Cromer had gained the
fullest confidence, not only of the Foreign Office and the Government, but also of
the British nation at large. Less and less was it felt advisable, less and less, indeed,
was it possible, to interfere with his conduct of Egyptian affairs.
Though during Sir Eldon Gorst’s short tenure of office there was probably more
control from London than there had been before, with the arrival of Lord Kitchener
the Consul-General became again, to a great extent, independent.
Thus up to the outbreak of wmr Egypt had, except in matters of first-class
importance or those touching her foreign relations, been controlled by the Consul-
General without the intervention of the Home Government.
Moreover, had it been desired in London to take • a greater part in the
management of the internal affairs of Egypt it would have been difficult to do so, as
there was no one in the British service with sufficient local knowledge to deal with
the questions.
As now Great Britain has by assuming a formal protectorate over Egypt made
herself, at all events indirectly, responsible for the internal government of that
country, and as it will be impossible in the future always to obtain men of the
qualities and experience of Lord Cromer and Lord Kitchener to fill the position of
High Commissioner, it is clear that an effective and adequate system of control of
Egyptian affairs by His Britannic Majesty’s Government should be instituted and
the necessary machinery set up.
If this is admitted, the first point to be considered is to what Ministry the care
of Egyptian affairs should be committed.