EGYPTIAN UNREST.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 71, 24 March 1919, Page 5

EGYPTIAN UNREST.

NATIONALIST RIOTS.

A GRAVE SITUATION. GARRISONS REINFORCED. aiLENBY TO TAKE COMMAND. LOXDdX, March 23. The situation in Kgypt is grave. The garrisons have been reinforced. (Jeneral Sir Edmuiid Allenby hurriedly Jcft Paris tor Cairo. Rioters in Egypt arc destroying the railway- and telegraph.*. The Nationalist movement in Kgypt is almost general. The military suppressed outbreaks at Alexandria and elsewhere. In ninny instances attacks were made on the railway. telegraph, and telephone systems, and railway stations and trains ■were plundered. [.A. nnd N.Z. Cable.) Following upon the deportation on March ri to Malta of four Egyptian agitator?, two of whom were ex-Ministers, riots broke out at Cairo on March 11, much damage and looting being done. The disturbances soon spread to the provinces, and all Communications were cut, completely isolating Cairo on March 17. except by wireless. A serious attack was made on the railway stations and trains, and on the British communities in some localities, Tesulting in terrible excesses, notably the murder of seveu British officers in a train at Minia. The commander-in-chief is taking active repressive measures. Demonstrations have been forbidden. Milages nearest any of the destroyed railway line will be burned. Punitive measure? already have been taken in districts where the greatest excesses occurred. The train service has been partially reestablished to Port Said and Alexandria, but Upper Egypt is entirely cut off. Troops have been distributed throughbut the provinces. The airmen have done great service. Cairo is quiet, but strikes are general. (Reuter.) It is officially announced that, in view of the grave situation in Egypt and the High Commissioner's absence, Sir Ednrund Allenby has been appointed special High Commissioner for Egypt and the Soudan. He has been directed to exercise supreme authority in all matters, military and civil, to take all measures he considers necessary and expedient to restore law and order in those countries, and to administer in all matters as may be required by the necessity of maintaining the King's protectorate over Egypt on a secure and equal basis.— (A. Bud X.Z. Cable.)