- 23 - Great Britain raised two objections, one of which was that this situation would necessitate a change in "the political situation in Egypt," contrary to the agreement concluded between England and France on April 8, 1904. The British government explicitly stated in the first article of this agreement that "it does not intend to change the political situation in Egypt."

If, however, the British government's request to set a duration for its presence in Egypt is not intended to specify the duration of its occupation of Egypt, then that is another matter. This is because the first article 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 action in Egypt, neither by requesting a time limit for the British occupation nor by any other means."

The governments of Spain, 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 welfare and good governance of Egypt. Furthermore, when I presented the proposal last year for reforming the system of foreign privileges, I did so with full knowledge that the British government did not intend to exercise its discretionary power to withdraw the British garrison from Egypt. Therefore, upon reading 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 on behalf of the British government (Appendix II) that it (the government) "recognizes that the continuation and improvement of the reforms carried out in Egypt depend on the British occupation. This also applies to any changes made to the system of foreign privileges. His Majesty's government wishes it to be understood that there is no reason to prevent what must be changed in that system due to the continuation of the British occupation of Egypt."

(d) European Privileges

Now, regarding the assertion that under the proposed system, Europeans would be deprived of the rights and advantages they currently enjoy, and would not be given guarantees against the recurrence of irregularities and unfair judgments, etc., for which those rights and advantages were granted as protection. What are these rights and advantages? They are, in general, four.