Reports and papers of the Egyptian Administration Committee [‎26r] (51/108)

THIS DOCUMEIIT 13 THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANIJIC MAJESTY* S GOVERNMENT«
S 3 C H E T»
B.A.C. B.
EGYPTIAN ADMIHI3TRATI0II COmOTTEE.
Copy of letter from Sir R. Graham to Mr. R.
Storre (Secretary).
My dear Storrs,
Foreign Office,
September 28th,1917.
The summons to attend the Egypt Committee yesterday
afternoon took me somewhat by surprise as I had espcctor to
be called to a later meeting. There are one or two points
in connection with the new proposals which, after irjwher
consideration, I should like to be submitted to the Committee,
if this is possible.
(1) The formation of a special Department outside the
Foreign Office would moan that that Department must have its
own archives, Registries, cypher room, etc. and that it would
have to deal by correspondence with the Foreign Office on all
questions, and they are numerous, on which the internal and
diplomatic affairs of Egypt overlap. This means not only a
re-duplication of staff but a quantity of correspondence
which can be entirely avafcded if the new Department forma
part of this Office.
(2) If the new Department is separated from the Foreign
Office, the position of the Diplomatic 3taff of 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.
in Cairo, consisting of a Cbunsellor and four or five
Secretaries, becomes anomalous. Only a very small part of
their duties at present is concerned with foreign affairs,
especially since Mr.Grog has taken up his appointment. At
present the Diplomatic Staff work in with the personal Staff
of the High Commissioner end with one or two Egyptian
officials attached to 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. . The system well
and it would be a pity to change it. But the suppression
of the Diplomatic Staff is certainly the logical result of
the new proposals. I may add that a first but serious step
was taken in this direction when Sir H.McMahon proposed
that during his own absence on leave the Financial Adviser
should become Acting High Commissioner instead of the
Diplomatic Counsellor. But the Financial Adviser is an
Egyptian official drawing his salary from Egypt, wearing a
fez on all official occasions, and sitting as a Minister
on the Council of Ministers. Moreover, the Advisers of the
other Egyptian