Egypt and cromer : study in Anglo - Egyptian relations

The Egyptian Question, from the bombard ment of Alexandria in 1882 to the Wafd revo lution that led to complete independence, was a problem of power-politics for successive British governments. It was bound up with Egypt's suzerain, Turkey; with the Suez Canal -and therefore with other interested Great Powers; with the route to India; and with the Sudan, where Gordon died and Kitchener made his name.

For the Englishmen on the spot, especially Evelyn Baring, Viscount Cromer, and his bright young men, it was a problem of admin istering an occupied country that was never formally annexed, and of carrying out finan cial and other reforms without the backing of a representative Egyptian constitution. Inevit ably, these men incurred charges of injustice and hypocrisy-of putting the interests of Great Britain first, and then claiming that their policies were for Egypt's own good. Inevitably, too, the exclusion of Egyptians from a respon sible part in the affairs of their country caused an eruption of nationalist parties, and pro duced many outstanding leaders.

The author, as an Egyptian and a relative of the Lutfi family who played so important and distinguished a part in the events of the times, approaches the story from a refreshingly new angle. As a woman, she brings rare penetration to the analysis of character. But while she hits out hard against miscarriages of justice and patronising Anglo-Saxon attitudes, she is never blinded by her warm patriotism. For she has a trained historian's approach to her research, both in this country and in Egypt, and makes her points with penetrating effect. Her astrin gent book is immensely stimulating. It also clarifies the background to Nasser's Egypt and provokes thought about the problems-closely similar to the 'Egyptian Problem'-that con front today's few Great Powers in their rela tions with so many smaller ones, and with each other.