Theodor Herzl travels to Egypt, where he meets with Lord Cromer and Boutros Ghali in Cairo following the Zionist Commission’s return to Suez. Following a gathering involving Herzl, Albert Goldsmid, and Georg Henry Stephens, Lord Cromer suggests that the Zionists should assertively seek a concession from the Egyptian Government and recommends the services of lawyer Carton de Wiart for this purpose. During a subsequent meeting, the Egyptian Government lawyer advises holding the concession as a lease rather than a freehold. Herzl demands a 99-year lease. Herzl also engages Carton de Wiart, presenting the Zionist proposal for consideration. Herzl then travels to Paris and London for a series of crucial meetings. In London, he meets with Joseph Chamberlain, who, fresh from his African journey, recommends land in British East Africa along the Uganda railway as a possible homeland for the Jews, leading to the development of what becomes known as Uganda scheme. Once in Paris, Herzl and the Inner Actions Committee meticulously review Stephens’ expedition report, eliciting mostly favorable reactions. However, despite these efforts, the El-Arish project ultimately fails.
