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to cut off hope of reaching a conclusion. The current system makes Egypt a subordinate party in legislative matters, increasing its involvement and cost day by day. Its needs are growing, and the increase in its needs necessitates an increase in the number of areas requiring legislation. The continuation of the current situation is detrimental and harmful to all, Europeans and Egyptians alike. The proposed change involves the abolition of some legislation currently handled by state officials and its replacement with a local council composed entirely of Europeans. This council would have limited legislative authority, and no law requiring the consent and ratification of the powers would be enacted without the approval of a majority of this council and the ratification of both the Egyptian and British governments. I will now present some of the most common objections raised against accepting this proposal:

(H) The Duration of the Occupation Army

I acknowledge that many believe European interests are adequately protected by the risks in this country, and my views are based on the assumption that the relationship between the British government and Egypt in the future will be clarified more clearly than it is now. This is the opinion expressed by the British Chamber of Commerce in its memorandum (see Annex I). I take this opportunity to discuss a matter that has long been debated by those concerned with Egypt's affairs since the beginning of the British occupation: the extension of British protection over Egypt. Protection, in political parlance, has various meanings. The British government's protection of the Algerian territories, according to the Treaty of Paris of 1815, differs in many respects from France's protection of Tunisia, according to the agreement signed at the El-Saaid Palace on May 13, 1881. The mere extension of protection over a country does not necessarily entail the permanent abrogation of the rights of foreigners residing therein. The protectorate in Tunisia was not abolished until after negotiations between the powers and the French Republic following the extension of its protection over Tunisia. This is in addition to other strong objections raised against British protection.