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Great Britain between them objections that are difficult to overcome. Among them is that this protection necessitates a change in "the political situation in Egypt," contrary to the explicit terms of the agreement concluded between England and France on April 8, 1904. The British government explicitly stated in its first article: "It does not intend to change the political situation in Egypt."

However, if the British government's request to define its position in Egypt is not intended to specify the duration of its occupation of Egypt, then that is another matter. This is because Article 1 of the Anglo-French Agreement of April 8, 1904, states: "The Government of the French Republic declares that it does not object to Great Britain's actions in Egypt, neither by stipulating a time limit for the British occupation nor by any other means."

The governments of Austria, Germany, and Italy also made similar declarations. The duration of the British occupation is left to the discretion and choice of the British government. It will continue as long as the British government deems its continuation necessary for the benefit of all concerned with the welfare and good governance of Egypt. Furthermore, when I presented my request last year, which aimed to reform the system of foreign concessions, I did so with full knowledge that the British government did not intend to act on its discretionary power to withdraw the British garrison from Egypt. When I received the letter from the British Chamber of Commerce, I felt it was appropriate to officially express an opinion on this important matter.

The reader will see from the reply I sent to the Chamber of Commerce by order of the British government (Appendix II) that it (the government) "acknowledges that the continuation and improvement of the reforms carried out in Egypt depend on the British occupation. This also applies to any change that alters the system of foreign concessions. His Majesty's government wishes everyone to understand that there is no reason to prevent what may be changed in that system due to doubt about the duration of the British occupation of Egypt."

(D) The Capitulations

Now, regarding the claim by some that, according to the proposed system, the Orientals will only enjoy the rights and privileges they currently possess and will not be given what guarantees them against the recurrence of oppression and injustice in judgments, and the like, for which they were granted those rights and privileges to prevent. What are these rights and privileges? They are four in general.