xxii Introduction
Alexandria was a small matter compared with that of
Damascus, and our coercion of Egyptian nationalists a
very insignificant affair beside the campaigns against
Riff and Druses. While our recognitions of Egyptian
rights of late years have been generous gestures.
This book will, indeed, have served its purpose if it
convince any Egyptian who happens to read* it that he
owes a double debt to the English, not only for many
years' economic and efficient administration during the
nation's minority, but also for sparing Egypt the many
years of fighting for independence that it would have had
to face had it been included in the military empires with
which Mediterranean Powers have expanded over North
Africa and Syria. It will have served a no less useful
purpose if it convinces any Englishman who reads it that
he owes a debt to Egypt not only for services to the
Empire and to Europe in constructing the Suez Canal,
suppressing the Slave Trade, and supporting us in the
Great War, but also because of England's mistakes in
unnecessarily crushing the nationalist movement in its
infancy, and in unjustifiably neglecting its education
during a long and profitable trusteeship. But happily
the relations between Egypt and the Empire are now
on abound basis. Resolution of the difficulties that still
remain only requires that there should be Governments
on either side capable of expressing the mutual generosity
and good will of two peaceable peoples, and that on our
side more especially we should have Empire builders who
can—
(t Build within the mind of man
The Empire that abides.11