740.0011 E.W. 1939/18803: Telegram
The Minister in Egypt ( Kirk ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 22—6:48 p.m.]
119. I am informed in strictest confidence that after having given his consent to the suspension of relations with Vichy and following the taking of such action by the Egyptian Government, King Farouk was given to understand by the Assistant Chief of the Royal Cabinet, an Aly Maher1 satellite, that the matter had not been properly explained when it was presented for Royal approval. The King is said to have been greatly angered by this alleged breach of faith and to have reprimanded the Foreign Minister2 so strongly the latter submitted his resignation day before yesterday.
Hearing of what had happened the British Ambassador3 is said to have sought an urgent interview with the Prime Minister4 yesterday afternoon, pointed out that it could only be assumed that the Foreign Minister was being forced out for having complied loyally with a legitimate request of Egypt’s British ally and the Prime Minister could draw his own conclusions as to such results as might logically follow “intolerable” intervention of this kind by the Palace. The Ambassador is reported to have added that this was not the first time he had been forced to speak seriously of the King’s behavior.
The Prime Minister replied that the decision to suspend relations with Vichy stood and that the Foreign Minister was remaining in office. He admitted the King’s intervention in the matter however and said that he had prevailed with difficulty on the King to desist. The Prime Minister added that he was having no easy time in handling the King and asked the Ambassador to attempt to appreciate the difficulty of his task. To this the Ambassador is said to have replied that he was entirely [willing?] to do his share but that there were limits beyond which patience ceased to be a virtue and that [Page 64] should the occasion arise there was no doubt in his mind as to the advice which he would give his Government.
In connection with the foregoing today’s Alahram reports that the Minister of Foreign Affairs met with the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies last night to discuss certain matters deemed inappropriate for debate in the Chamber and that among the questions discussed was that of the suspension of relations with Vichy.