File of printed papers marked 'Egyptian negotiation' between Curzon and Adly Pasha and the Egyptian delegation [‎9r] (17/178)

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and agitators, little disposition was shown by the small farmers to take part in any
such movement. Where disorders occurred, it was generally the railways which
became the object of aggression, and there is reason to believe that I he attacks
upon them were carried out in pursuance of a pre-existing plan for a Germano-l urkish
attack on the Canal, supported by a simultaneous rising in Egypt. This would account
for certain indications of concerted action revealed in the disturbances of March 1919.
There is some evidence to show that discontent was stimulated by the controlled
price of cotton, which denied the cultivator the advantage of competing in foreign
markets, while the rent of his land continued to advance. But the more obvious factors
arising out of the war to alienate his goodwill were : (a) The recruiting for the
Egyptian Labour and Camel Transport Corps ; {b) the requisition of domestic animals ;
(c) the requisition of cereals ; (r/) the collections for the Red Cross Fund. In each case
it was not so much the measures themselves that were resented as the manner
in which they were carried out.
As regards (a), the recruiting for the Egyptian Labour and Camel Transport
Corps, it seems evident that once enrolled the men were, as a rule, satisfied with the
conditions, and that the Avages paid were of great benefit to the poorer classes of the
population. The hospital accommodation provided for them dees not seem to have
been altogether satisfactory, and there were evidently among their officers many ignorant
of their language and without experience in handling them. But their readiness to
re-enlist again and again, and the fact that those actually serving gave no trouble
during the events of March 1919, shews that grievances against the service were
not serious. So long as the Labour Corps was locally raised from volunteers arrange
ments worked satisfactorily. There was some discontent at the prolongation of service
beyond the contractual period after recruiting AA^as taken over by a military organisation.
But it Avas after the voluntary system had ceased to supply a sufficient number of
recruits, and Avhen administrative pressure vA^as applied to obtain them, that abuses
began. In vieAv of the announcement made at the outbreak of war Avith Turkey that
Egyptians would not be required to take part in it, the voluntary system Avas maintained
in name, but measures of compulsion were applied by the < hudehs, the unpaid
administrative officers in the country districts, to whom recruiting was entrusted
without supervision by British officials, most of whom had been recalled for duties
elsewhere. There is no doubt that unscrupulous Omdehs took advantage of the
position, sending their enemies to serve, while letting off their friends, and accepting
bribes for exemptions and substitutions. In some cases measures resembling those
of the press gang were adopted, and British pressure Avas asserted as the excuse for
them. As to the extent of the abuses there seems to be some conflict of opinion. But
they Avere frequent enough to cause much discontent in certain regions, and gave
the political agitator his opportunity.
As regards (b), the requisition of domestic animals, though the fellah Arabic for ‘peasant’. It was used by British officials to refer to agricultural workers or to members of a social class employed primarily in agricultural labour. Avas often
hardly hit by the removal of his means of transport, prices which Avere good at the
time seem to have been paid Avhen the animals Avere taken. On the other hand the
prices at Avhich they could be bought back at the end of the war were often considerably
higher. While the fellahin Arabic for ‘peasant’. It was used by British officials to refer to agricultural workers or to members of a social class employed primarily in agricultural labour. Avere naturally most unwilling to part Avith their animals,
there does not appear to have been much real ground for grievance on account of
these requisitions, inevitable in a state of Avar. But they naturally would not tend to
increase goodAvill towards those held responsible for them.
A more fertile source of discontent was (cl, the requisition of cereals. Owing- to
the demand for the army prices advanced, and market rates Avere considerably higher
than requisition rates. Districts were assessed to furnish a given quantity, and the
collection was left to local officials, avIjo derived large profits from the transaction. Not
only did Omdehs collect larger amounts than they Avere required to furnish at requisition
rates and sell the balance at ihe higher market rate, but individuals avIio possessed no
wheat had to buy their quota at market rates and hand it over at the knver requisition
rate. The process of verification and repayment Avas sIoav, and it appears to be
substantiated from the evidence submitted that the provincial officials retained the
gums received to make payments in their own hands for long periods, and that Omdehs
and Sheikhs, who were entrusted with sums in bulk for distribution, in many cases
held back a portion of these moneys. The local officials were mainly responsible for
the abuses which occurred, but they were attributed to the British. Avho, under the
exceptional conditions prevailing, AA r ere unable to control them.
As regards (d), the collections for the Red Cross Fund, these AA r ere organised
locally by Egyptian Mamurs and Omdehs, and Avhile intended to be A'oluntary, Avere,
in practice, frequently made compulsory by officials seeking to acquire merit by the
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