883.00/1129: Telegram

The Minister in Egypt (Fish) to the Secretary of State

181. Following is comment on the Legation’s telegram No. 182, August 23, 5 [1] p.m. The approval of the declaration was preceded by a stormy debate, partly in open and partly in secret session, during which Ahmed Maher Pasha and other advocates of closer cooperation with the British and of a stronger stand on the defense issue sought to prevail upon the Prime Minister to refute the prevailing impression that the Egyptian Government would seek to avoid becoming involved in hostilities with Italy at any cost. The Prime Minister refused to go further than reiterate adherence to the declaration of July [June] 12 but finally consented, after allegedly being at one time on the point of resigning, to accept the declaration proposed by Ahmed Maher Pasha.

The new declaration is regarded as significant because it apparently commits Egypt to defend itself if its territory or forces are attacked but makes no mention of declaration of war. In other words the British are now apparently getting in substance what they formerly failed to obtain in insisting on a declaration of war (the British Ambassador recently told me he was no longer pressing this latter point). However, it is believed that the predominant feeling in Egypt is still against involvement in hostilities and it remains to be seen whether, should the occasion arise, Egypt will actually take up arms against Italy.

Fish