MORE TROOPS FOR EGYPT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 6, 19 October 1935, Page 5

MORE TROOPS FOR EGYPT.

BRITISH BRIGADE OF INFANTRY.

ITALIANS ACTIVE IN LIBYA

LONDON, October 17

The position in Libya is arousing increasing interest. It is understood that British precautions will not be relaxed unless Great Britain receives complete assurances, both by action and verbally, that the position would not be prejudiced by a reduction in naval forces.

The Cairo correspondent of ‘ ‘ The Times” states that the British Government, in agreement with the Egyptian Government, has decided, m view of the establishment of a temporary base for the Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria, and of the increase of Italian forces in Libya, provisionally to strengthen the British garrison in Egypt by a brigade of infantry, which will arrive shortly. It will ne commanded by Brigadier-General J. 11. Priestman, who commanded the British troops in the Saar. The Air Force is also being increased. Meanwhile two battalions—one British and the other Egyptian have moved out from Mersamatruh to support the Egyptian battalion normally stationed at Solium, on the frontier. The incoming battalion will be stationed at Alexandria.

The Alexandria correspondent of the British United Press states that the Italians arc reported to be active on the frontier. They are digging trenches and laying land mines in the neighbourhood of the Jarabus Oasis, facing the Siwa Oasis. The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says: “The British decision not to reduce the fleet in the Mediterranean has produced fresh irritation. It is regarded as evidence that Great Britain is more determined to inflict a military, economic, and! moral defeat on Italy. It is contended that Great Britain’s capital error, whereby she violated the Covenant, was to reinforce the fleet early in September, when the League of Nations had barely begun to examine the conflict between Italy and Abyssinia, and the question of coercing Italy had not arisen.” •