Rebellion and Independence 251
ment" was satisfied with remaining in existence, and
risked no further exertion.
His Majesty's Government was seriously displeased
but undismayed. Mr. Balfour in the House of Commons
declared that: "British supremacy exists in Egypt,
British supremacy is going to be maintained. Let no
one in Egypt or out of Egypt make any mistake on that
cardinal principle." Lord Curzon in the House of Lords
contrasted the savagery of Egypt with the civilisation of
the Sudan. Under cover of these 4* heavies 5J the Milner
Mission arrived (December 10, 1919), itself carrying
big guns. Besides Lord Milner, there was Sir John
Maxwell, Sir Rennel Rodd, and Mr. Lloyd, the Secre-
tary, all with good Egyptian records. Also a representa-
tive of Liberalism, another of Labour, and a third of
International Law. But no Egyptian.
From the first it was evident that the boycott of the
Mission was going to be an even more sensational
success than had been the sabotages and the strikes.
For the Commission found itself subjected to a picketing
worthy of Poplar, a boycott that would have done credit
to Tipperary, and a taboo of Polynesian rigour. Its
members, even on individual excursions, found them-
selves cold-storaged by a frigid escort and cold-
shouldered by all and sundry. If the legal member
went to witness a sitting of the Law Court the Bar got
up and left in a body. When the Liberal member success-
fully evaded a hostile demonstration at Tanta there was
a riot. The Commission left after three months (March,
1920), having learnt more about Egyptian nationalism
and less about the Egyptian nation than it had hoped.
But it had at least been wholly convinced as to the
necessity of restoring co-operation—a necessity not only
political, but also economic. For the visit of the Com-