641.74/10–1651: Telegram
The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Gifford) to the Department of State 1
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1857. Bowker has just informed us 16th Paratroop Brigade and 2nd Infantry Brigade being ordered from Cyprus to Canal Zone. Move will probably not be announced until tomorrow, but FonOff anxious let us know.
Reason for foregoing is concern at developing sitn as result of incidents, some by Egyptian Govt (such as interference telephone and railway traffic) and some by mobs and individuals (such as several incidents against Brit soldiers, interference with labor force, stoning school bus with Brit children in Canal Zone, riots Ismailia, etc.). Bowker said that move not intended be in any way provocative and that every attempt will be made emphasize its defensive and protective character.
Brit mil auths are also being auth take certain “negative” actions in present emergency. Bowker listed these as:
- 1.
- Removal any road blocks erected by Egyptians in Zone.
- 2.
- Putting emergency labor sched into effective (Bowker, while uncertain, thought this meant organization of troops and volunteers into labor force rather than any attempt conscription).
- 3.
- Setting up of check points to prevent undesirables from entering zone.
- 4.
- Prohibiting aircraft from flying over area except with prior permission. (Bowker said this measure has, of course, internatl aspects which are being urgently looked into.)
Fr and Turks will be informed of troop movements, but not of the further measures outlined above.2
- Repeated to Cairo.↩
- In telegram 1862 from London, October 16, Gifford reported that the movement of the two brigades would be by air “beginning tomorrow or possibly tonight” (641.74/10–1651). In telegram 502 from Cairo, October 17, Caffery stated that the U.S. Naval Attaché had reported the arrival of a British light cruiser at Port Said, the concentration of British families in Port Said, and Egyptian interference with British vessels carrying military supplies (641.74/10–1751). In telegram 519 from Cairo, October 18, Caffery reported that an “Unevaluated new source” had stated confidentially that the Muslim Brotherhood had gathered arms and ammunition and was leaving the following morning for Suez “to avenge Egyptians killed by British whose corpses prominently displayed today’s Arabic press.” The same source had reported that the Brotherhood had taken a resolution to go ahead with its 11-point program of violence, war, and terrorism regardless of subsequent government policy. (641.74/10–1851) In telegram 1990 from London of October 23, Gifford reported that the Foreign Office had informed him that another brigade was being ordered to Suez, from Tripoli, and this report was subsequently confirmed by Consul General Andrew G. Lynch at Tripoli in telegrams 159 of October 25 and 163 of October 26. (641.74/10–2351, 10–2551, 10–2651)↩