The Mohammedans of Egypt have flourished under our occu- pation,
and may feel certain that the free hand which we shall have in the Protectorate, both for administration and finance, will be used to better and improve, not injure, their position. It is, of course, premature to discuss matters of internal organization. They must wait till the war is over. All that is necessary now is to make it clear that the interests of the people of Egypt will be our paramount consideration, and that they will not be sacrificed to British interests. We are not going to exploit Egypt except for the Egyptians. Henceforth the sole source of power and authority in Egypt will be the British Government just as it is in India, but also, just as it is in India, the exer- cise of that power and authority will be regarded as a trust of the most sacred character. There will be no altera- tions for the sake of alterations, for our rule abroad is always conservative, not subversive. But though we shall respect a genuine independence of spirit, we shall not tolerate dis- loyalty and anarchy either in princes or people. Egypt enters the Pax Britannica.
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