883.00/1233: Telegram

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

188. My 187, February 2, 2 p.m. I am now advised in strictest confidence that in his interview with the King this morning the British Ambassador stated that, although the Embassy desired to avoid interference in Egyptian internal politics, he felt impelled in the capacity of an ally to point out that such new government as might be formed should have the two essential qualifications of (1) being disposed to carry out fully the terms of the Anglo-Egyptian treaty and (2) being sufficiently strong to maintain absolute control over the internal situation. Proceeding on that assumption the Ambassador said he was convinced that such a government could only be formed upon consultation with Nahas Pasha, the leader of the Wafd.

The King is said to have replied that he agreed entirely with the Ambassador regarding the necessary qualifications of the new government and that he had thought of consulting Nahas. When the Ambassador insisted, however, that the King should consult Nahas [Page 66] by noon tomorrow the King is said to have been evasive and in a subsequent conversation with [of?] the Ambassador with the Chief of the Royal Cabinet it was revealed that it was the Palace plan ostensibly to favor the participation of the Wafd in the government but to maintain as a first step in that direction it would seem desirable to institute a stopgap government in order to give time for coming to an agreement with the Wafd regarding the maintenance of an appropriate opposition representation in Parliament and similar questions.

The further development of this situation would seem to depend to a large extent on the attitude assumed by Nahas Pasha on his return to Cairo from upper Egypt tomorrow.

Kirk