Printed papers on the political situation and military policy in Egypt [‎33v] (66/176)

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(3.) Soudan.
(4.) Suez Canal.
(5.) Cable and wireless telegraph stations.
(6.) Retirement and compensation of British officials.
(7.) Protection of minorities.
16. It is not possible within the scope of this report to indicate otherwise than
very briefly the course of the discussions in regard to the above matters. lo take
them in the order given above :—
(1.) Employment of Foreign Officials.
His Majesty’s Government asked that, in view of the special responsibilities
assumed by Great Britain and of the existing position in the Egyptian army and
public services, the Egyptian Government would undertake not to appoint any
foreign officers or officials to any of those services without the previous concurrence
of the British High Commissioner. This demand was accepted in principle by the
delegation, but they preferred that the clause should not appear in the treaty.
(2.) (a.) Financial Control.
In order to meet the Egyptian dislike for the Financial Advisei* proposed in the
Milner Report. His Majesty’s Government proposed the formula quoted below, on
the assumption that the “ Caisse de la Dette ” would continue as at present consti
tuted for some ) T ears to come. As the Commissioners of the Debt are by treaty and
law debarred from exercising other functions than those implied by their office, the
formula merely gave the British Commissioner means to obtain information on
Egyptian finances generally in order that, if necessary, he might be in a position to
warn the High Commission of any impending trouble.
“ The Egyptian Government agree that the British Commissioner of the
Debt shall at all times enjoy the right of access to the President of the Council
of Ministers and to the Minister of Finance, and shall be entitled to receive
information on any matter within the purview of the Ministry of Finance.
" He shall be entitled more especially to satisfy himself that the following
charges are being punctually met:—
' k (i.) The charges for the budgets of the Mixed Courts.
“ (ii.) All pensions or other annuities payable to retired foreign officials
and their heirs.
” (iii.) The service of the Unconsolidated Debt and of the loans charged on
the Ottoman tribute.”
In reply the delegation suggested the following alternative text:—
Le Gouvernement egyptien nommera, d’accord avec le Gouvernement
de Sa Majeste, un Commissaire financier, auquel seront confies les pouvoirs
aetuellement exerces par les Commissaires de la Dette. II aura, a ce titre, droit
d'acces aupres du Premier Ministre et du Ministre des Finances. En raison de
ses connaissances techniques, le Commissaire financier sera a la disposition du
Gouvernement egyptien pour toute mission dont il voudra le charger, on pour
tout avis qu'il voudra lui demander, sans toutefois que les avis qu'il aurait a
donner puissent Her en aucune facon ledit Gouvernement."
The question was further considered and Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. suggested a third alterna
tive formula, but in the course of several conversations he conveyed the impression
that the principle embodied in the British formula was not altogether unacceptable.
(2.) (6.) Judicial Control.
The Egyptian delegates objected to the proposal of a Judicial Adviser no less
than to that of a Financial Adviser. They maintained that a British procvreur-
general of the Mixed Courts was all that His Majesty's Government could require
or the delegation concede. The British negotiators therefore suggested that the
original conception in the Milner Mission Report of a Judicial Adviser should be
broken up into its component parts and, on the assumption that the judicial reform
scheme proposed in that report could not come into operation for several years and