Printed papers on the political situation and military policy in Egypt [‎76v] (152/176)

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returned to Egypt and could, himself report on the situation. This he did on the
11th November, and recommended that the mission should start without delay. This
action was followed within a week by the resignation of Mohamed Said, who was
succeeded by \ussuf Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Wahba, an honest and agreeable man if a less forceful
personality than his unscrupulous predecessor in office.
Arrival of the Milner Mission.
18. On the 7th December the mission arrived, and in spite of a very complete
boycott were able to conclude their enquiry by the beginning of March 1020, when
they returned to England.
Submission of their Interim Report.
19. Shortly after their return Lord Milner communicated to the Secretary of
State by way ot an interim report a document embodying certain general conclusions
which the mission had unanimously reached before leaving Egypt. These conclusions
advocated a wide extension of self-government and a large reduction in the number
of Englishmen in the service of the Egyptian Government. The view was in fact
expressed that a satisfactory situation could only be restored when Egyptians could
be brought to appreciate that their British colleagues were their true friends and
not merely the occupants of highly paid posts at the expense of native-talent. But
Lord Milner and his colleagues felt that until they had had an opportunity of hearing
the views of Zaghlul, to whom they had constantly been referred in Egypt as the
true mouthpiece of Egyptian opinion, they would not be in a position to formulate
their final recommendations. Moreover, they realised that if Zaghlul’s co-operation
could be won his personal influence on the mass of Egyptian opinion would greatly
facilitate the settlement which it was their object to achieve.
20. In April, Adly Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , with whom Lord Milner had been in close relations
m Egypt, proceeded to Paris and saw Zaghlul, whom he eventually persuaded to
accept Lord Milner’s invitation to visit London to discuss the Egyptian question
with the members of the mission.
Resignation of Wahba, who is replaced by Nessim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. .
21. In Egypt the Nationalists, on the departure of Lord Milner, had turned
their attention to making things difficult for the Ministry, and cn the 19th May the
Prime Minister, Wahba Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , whose health had broken down, resigned and was
succeeded by Tewfik Nessim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , who took office on the clear understanding that
his Cabinet was purely a Ministry of Affairs which would attend to current business,
but avoid taking any political decision pending a solution of the problem of the
future regime of Egypt.
The Milner-Zaghlul Conversations.
22. Zaghlul and his colleagues came to London early in June and commenced
their conversations with Lord Milner and the members of his mission, whilst Adlv
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. played the part of honest broker Often a local commercial agent in the Gulf who regularly performed duties of intelligence gathering and political representation. in attempting to promote agreement between
the two parties.
23. The effect in Egypt of Zaghlul's visit to England was immediate. The
centre of gravity of Egyptian politics was at once transferred to this country. The
Zaghlulists felt that they had scored a great moral victory, and that their policy of
boycotting the mission when in Egypt had been amply justified, as, in their eyes,
it had compelled Lord Milner to recognise the paramount position occupied by
Zaghlul and to sue for i)eace with him.
24. The negotiations continued during the summer, whilst in Efypt excitement
died down and was replaced by a feeling of expectancy. Finally, in the latter half
of August, the mission and Zaghlul’s “delegation” were not far from agreement
on the general terms of a settlement which was to take the form of a treaty of alliance
between England and Egypt.
Publication of the Milner Memorandum.
25. Zaghlul himself, when it came to the point, feared to commit himself to this
agreement until it had been submitted to the “nation.” Consequently on the-