تقارير وأوراق للجنة الإدارة المصرية [و‎‎٥‎٣] (١٠٨/١٠٥)

' >-
Dp CUM ENT is THE PROPERTY OF HIS DR ITALIC IV-AJESTY * 1 S GOVERNMENT.
S E C R E T.
E.A.C.l.
STRATI ON COMMITTEE.
(xLXtract from letter dated 28th September
1917 from Lord Edward Cecil to Lord Curzon)
1 Vhen I came to think over what you said about the
composition of the new Department, I came to the conclusion
I was wrong *
Foreign Oxfice or Diplomatic men would of course
be the best to deal with Diplomatic questions. I partially
misunderstood you end thought that F.O. and Diplomatic men
were to oe employed on Administrative matters . This I
venture to think, would be a mistake .
My real differences with Graham are:- (i) This
question of an Egyptian Department ought to be dealt with
now and not be put. off. The new system is required now.
You cannot make changes even of machinery when the
situation becomes acute . (ii) Men belonging to the
Fi an ^^f* ,l ^ strat j.ve Service shouid deal with questions
of Egyptian Administration as far as possible. Men
belonging to the F.O. or Diplomatic Service should deal
with Egyptian Diplomacy and Foreign affairs.
« 1 am no ‘ t '» as ha s been suggested, opposed to the
+ <>< ar I venture to think they are not
best fitted to deal wikn. questions outside their ordinary
functions . The impor lance of oj.r government of Egypt
during the near future can hardly oe exaggerated as on it
the future oi Egypt largely depends; therefore measures
should be taken as soon as possible to render the machinery
of the British Government of Egypt as efficient as
possible. It has not been suggested that Egypt should be
govern6d < from Whitehall but it seems absolutely necessary
to be sure that h.B.M.G. fully understands and approves
the local policy pursued.
It is also essential for the well-being of Egypt
that her government should be adequately represented in"
all mattersat Home. No business house would transact the
business they transact without qualified local
representatives.