47r» EGYPT 



world Power ; and that as we were unwilling to abandon 

 the claim, no American worth his salt ought to hesitate 

 about performing the task. I feel just the same way 

 about you in the Soudan. 



Now as to Egypt. It would not be worth my while 

 to speak to you at all, nor would it be worth your while 

 to listen, unless on condition that I say what I deeply 

 feel ought to be said. I speak as an outsider, but in 

 one way this is an advantage, for I speak without 

 national prejudice. I would not talk to you about 

 your own internal affairs here at home ; but you are so 

 very busy at home that 1 am not sure whether you 

 realize just how things are, in some places at least, 

 abroad. At any rate, it can do you no harm to hear 

 the view of one who has actually been on the ground, 

 and has information at first hand ; of one, moreover, 

 who, it is true, is a sincere well-wisher of the British 

 Empire, but who is not British by blood, and who is 

 impelled to speak mainly because of his deep concern 

 for the welfare of mankind and for the future of civiliza- 

 tion. Remember also that I who address you am not 

 only an American, but a Radical, a real — not a mock — 

 Democrat, and that what I have to say is spoken chiefly 

 because I am a Democrat — a man who feels that his 

 first thought is bound to be the welfare of the masses of 

 mankind, and his first duty to war against violence and 

 injustice and wrong-doing, wherever found ; and I 

 advise you only in accordance with the principles on 

 w^hich I myself acted when 1 was President of the 

 United States in dealing with the Philippines. 



In Egypt you are not only the guardians of your 

 own interests ; you are also the guardians of the interests 

 of civilization ; and the present condition of affairs in 

 Egypt is a grave menace both to your Empire and to 



