TAA i.2.1.125

<Copy>                                  CONFIDENTIAL            <1924 – 1925>            125                                            

My dear Molony,        

          Herewith a summary of what occurred in these last 
negotiations with the Egyptian Government with regard to the Tut.
ankh.amen affair.

          When I arrived in Cairo (December 15.) I found the general 
atmosphere for obtaining favourable conditions distinctly improved 
from that of last Spring when I left Egypt.

          On the morning of December 16th. I had the fortune of meeting 
accidentally in the Continental Hotel Ziwar Pasha, the Prime 
Minister of the present government whom I have known and with whom 
I have been on very friendly terms for a long time. Ziwar Pasha 
was most kind and friendly towards me, and almost immediately 
turned our conversation to the Tut.ankh.amen question, using very 
strong terms in condemning the previous Zaghloul Ministry, their 
attitude and past actions. He was most anxious that we should 
come as soon as possible to some amicable arrangement, and parti-
cularly emphasized the importance of opening the Tomb and recommenc-
ing the work at once to improve the general feeling of security, 
and to attract visitors to Egypt as in normal times. I immediate-
ly assured him that that was too was our sole wish, that we wanted 
nothing better, that I came to Egypt for that purpose, and that in 
consequence of the unfot/<r>tunate past delays although I was not well 
equipped for immediate recommencement of the scientific work I 
would make every endeavour to begin again in January, and finally 
I asked if I could shortly discuss the matter officially with him. 
To this Ziwar Pasha replied most cordially in the affirmative. 

          I found that the general feeling among the Egyptian public, the 
Pashas and notables, as well as the tourist and hotel Companies, 
was not only friendly, but they pleaded that I should open the Tomb 
at the earliest date possible so as to enhance the impression in 
Europe as to the political status in Egypt as well as security and 
goodwill. The hotel and tourist Companies in particular were 
anxious owing to the continued cancellations they were receiving 
from prospective visitors. Thus once again Tut.ankh.amen has 
become a centre of political intrigue, fortunately this time rather 
in favour of our interests than against them, and obviously a wot/<r>ld wide advertisement for the Egyptian tourist and hotel Companies.

          On the same morning I saw Merzbach who was of the same opinion 
of the general situation, who saw the advantage of reg/<c>ommencing the 
work as soon as possible, and who is a great friend of the Prime 
Minister as well as of Ismail Sidky Pasha the Minister of Interior – 

the moving spirit of the present Ziwar Ministry. I found that 
Merzbach had quite recently written to the Residency asking if we 
could have its support in obtaining an amicable settlement basedo
on the lines of Almina, Countess Carnarvon, letter to the Egyptian 
Government 13th. September last. This procedure had in view a 
double advantage: (1) the Residency's help would certainly be a 
good adjunct, (2) the Tut.ankh.amen affair having been made a sort
of National question, any leniency towards us on the part of Ziwar 
Pasha would more than likely be made the excuse for a strong attack 
on the part of the opposition Zaghloulists and possibly effect the 
coming e/<E>lections in this country, thus if any negotiations emanated 
from the Residency, the Prime Minister would have certain excuses 
on the grounds of pressure having been brought to bear.   

          At noon the same day I saw Mr. Furness (Oriental Secretary) at 
the Residency and asked for their aid in concluding an amicable