EGYPTIAN RIOTS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 125, 27 May 1919, Page 5

EGYPTIAN RIOTS.

INSTIGATED BY GERMANS. COST OVER 3000 LIVES. NEW CONSTITUTION. (Received 5.20 a.m.) LONDON, May 2(5. Replying in the House of Commons to suggestions that the distrust of the Egyptians was due to the disproportionate numbers of (Englishmen employed in Government office*, and also the failure to establish an Egyptian council similar to the. Indian Council, Mr Cecil Harmsworth. Parliamentary L'nder-Soeretary for Foreign Affairs, said that the outbreaks were due to several causes. Political ferment, which was world-wide, owing to the war, had affected Kgypt. He admitted a certain amount of mishandling of native interests by inexperienced officers, but the outbreak had surprised the Egyptian Government. There was every reason to be proud of British rule, under which Kgypt enjoyed remarkable prosperity. He paid a tribute to Karl Cromer/a and Karl Kitchener's work. They were benevolent autocrats, and governed largely by personality and prestige. They "must bo careful " whom they chose to succeed thorn. Kgypt had stood by the Empire during the war. The riots had resulted in great damage. Twenty-seven British soldiers, four British civilians, and nine Indian soldiers were killed, while seventy British and forty Indian soldiers were wounded. Considerable numbers of Armenians and Greeks were killed, while nearly 1,000 Egyptions were killed in p.uppressing the rebellion. The position is now satisfactory. Earl Curzon stated in the House of Lords that evidence existed that the enemy instigated and had long prepared Egyptian disturbances. The Government was sending a special mission under Lord Milncr to inquire into the disorders, and report on the best form of constitution for Egypt under a British protectorate. (A. and N.Z. Cable.) Although small demonstrations continue in Cairo the extremists are losing their influence.—(A. and X.Z. Cable.)