246 Egypt
out that most timid of trade unionists, the native official.
For the poor effendihad, indeed, a valid grievance, seeing
that, in view of post-war prices, his pay was reduced to
one-third of its pre-war value. So when, on reaching his
office in the morning, he was confronted by a nationalist
crowd at the door, he was easily persuaded to take a day
off. Though some few, more frightened of their British
chief than of the nationalist picket, did force their way
in to their accustomed desks with screaming women and
boys hanging on to their coat-tails. Under such pressure
the strike of officials was soon general in Cairo and
approximately so in Alexandria—an achievement that the
Nationalists at once turned to advantage. They set up a
Special Committee of officials, who entered into negotia-
tions with Rushdi for a withdrawal of the strike on
acceptance by the Government of the following pro-
gramme :
1. Recognition of the Wafd's mandate.
2. Non-recognition of the British Protectorate.
3. Replacement of British sentries by Egyptians.
Day after day negotiations continued between a
harassed Cabinet and a hectoring Committee. Appeals
from the Government to resume work, even threats of
arrest against the leading strikers, had no effect. The
strikers knew that their cause was morally that of the
Government, and that they could count on its leniency.
Eventually, General Allenby had to intervene, and issue,
in the name of the Ministry, a proclamation which, in
virtue of martial law, dismissed all officials who remained
absent, and threatened with prosecution all those who
persuaded others to do so (April 20, 1*319). Whereupon
the officials' strike collapsed and the effendis returned to
their desks, the elder with sighs of relief, the younger in
sullen resentment.