Printed papers on the political situation and military policy in Egypt [‎34v] (68/176)

“ For the purpose of safeguarding British imperial communications, the
Egyptian Government agree—
“ (i.) Not to grant permission for the landing of submarine cables or the
establishment of wireless stations for communication with places outside
Egypt without the concurrence of His Majesty's High Commissioner.
“ (ii.j Tnat the existing cable-landing rights and wireless concessions granted
by the present Egyptian Government or their predecessors shall continue
in force.
“ (iii.) The Egyptian Government accord to His Majesty’s Government the right
to land additional submarine cables, and to establish additional wireless
stations for communication with places outside Egypt.
(iv.) The Egyptian Government agree to grant similar facilities to telegraph
companies, if so requested by His Majesty's Government, and upon such
conditions as they may recommend.”
Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. did not appear at the time adverse to meeting these requirements^
but felt some doubt as to whether such stipulations were in place in a political
treaty. In the report which he made to the Sultan upon his mission after his return
to Cairo, however, he remarked that the British draft treaty contained no clause in
regard to cable and wireless matters, and he assumed that the delegation's replies
had led the British negotiators to renounce their claims. A fuller reference to the
present situation in regard to wireless telegraphy in Egypt will be found in a later
portion of this report.
(6.) Retirement and Compensation of British Officials.
It was assumed that the greater measure of self-government to be conceded to
the Egyptians by the treaty would naturally lead to the dismissal or retirement of a
certain number of British and other foreign officials in the service of the Egyptian
Government, and that it would be necessary that such officials should receive special
compensation. A statement showing the basic principles on which it was desired
that compensation should! be calculated was handed to the Egyptian delegates on the
24th August. Mr. Lindsay also undertook to give them a copy of the explanatory
report drawn up by Judge Percival, president of the Native Court of Appeal, and
a copy of the table of compensation prepared by the Association of British Officials
in the employ of the Egyptian Government, but warned them that the latter must
not be regarded as authoritative or as necessarily representing a correct application
of the principles. It was in fact indicated in the statement that the table was
subject to re-calculation bv Sir Alfred Watson, president of the Society of Actuaries.
A discussion took place in October between Judge Percival and Sidky Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , in
which the latter subjected the scheme to considerable criticism. Subsequently Sidky
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. put forward a scheme of compensation considerably less liberal than that
proposed by the association, the principles of which had been regarded as
reasonable, both by the Treasury and by Sir Alfred Watson. The latter was,
however, requested to furnish his observations on both schemes, with the result that
he evolved a third scheme which, so far as the total cost can be calculated—a matter
of some uncertainty—may perhaps be described as somewhere about half-way between
the other two and was regarded by the Foreign Office as both just and reasonable.
Sir A. Watson's proposals were not, however, communicated to the Egyptians, as
the termination of the negotiations prevented any further discussion of the matter.
The question has since been very fully re-examined in all its bearings both at 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. and by the Association of British Officials, who naturally attach the very
greatest importance to it, and for many of them, with families dependent on them
and with no means of their own. it is a matter of bare livelihood.
(7.) Protection of Minorities.
A formula taken from the Polish and Roumanian treaties was submitted to
Adly and Sidky Pashas, who appeared to be prepared to accept it.
7. Collapse of the ecjotiations.
17. There is little more to relate in regard to the negotiations. The conferences
were adjourned during September, and, on the return of the Egyptians to London
early in October it was agreed that matters had been sufficiently thrashed out and
that it was time to bring them to a head. The draft treaty was, as already stated,