in may 1919, lord milner was appointed to head a mission to investigate how egypt could be granted "self-governing institutions" while maintaining the protectorate and safeguarding british interests. the mission arrived in egypt in december 1919 but was boycotted by the nationalists, who opposed the continuation of the protectorate. the arrival of the milner mission was followed by strikes in which students, lawyers, professionals, and workers participated. merchants closed their shops, and organizers distributed leaflets urging the egyptians not to co-operate with the mission.