TAA i.2.2.51

{12 February 1924, continued}

We should note that immediately on coming out of

the tomb the police officer who was an unauthorised

spectator gave to Valentine Williams of Reuter's a full

account of the whole proceedings.

Feb. 13

Early this morning Carter received a note from

Under Secretary, saying that he had received a wire

from the Secretary absolutely prohibiting the ladies

visit in the afternoon. He reported the matter to

us and we felt that we must refuse to carry

on any further work, as this was not only an insult

to us, but a clear sign that the government

were going to carry their policy of interference to

even further lengths. Under such conditions scientific

work became impossible.

Carter, Lythgoe and I went over to Luxor to

consult Breasted, Gardiner & Newbery^sic {Newberry}. On the

river bank we met the Marmur and an officer

of the police, the latter of whom handed Carter the

following Order -

Ordre de Service

His Excellency the Minister of Public Works, having

replied by telegram that he regretted that he was unable

to authorize the visit of the wives of M^r Carter's

collaborators for Wednesday 13^th February. His

Excellency the Under Secretary of State has just passed

to me the order to forbid until further notice, entry

to the tomb to all ladies who have not received

ministerial authorization as journalists.

In consequence, Mohammed Eff. Shaaban, Antoun

Effendi Youssef and Ibrahim Eff. Habib, must forbid

entry to the tomb to all ladies who have not a written

authorization.

It goes without saying that they should carry out