BRITAIN'S NOTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 128, 2 June 1927, Page 7

BRITAIN'S NOTE.

FIRM BUT FRIENDLY.

Policy of Army as Defence

Instrument.

HOSTILE INFLUENCE,

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, June 1

The Note which Lord Lloyd, British High Commissioner for Egypt, handed to the Egyptian Prime Minister, Sarwat Pasha, on Sunday night, was firm but friendly in tone. It was designed to remove various misunderstandings which have existed for some time past in regard to the Egyptian Army. The immediate cause of the presentation of the Note was the recommendation of the War Committee of the Egyptian Chamber of Deputies. That recommendation appears to be a sequel to previous efforts made to undermine the policy of utilising the army as an instrument for defence and for the maintenance of order, and to utilise it instead for political and partisan ends. After the murder of Sir Lee Stack, the late Sirdar, in 1924, Huddleston Pasha became Acting-Sirdar. Early in 1925 when he became Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan Defence Force, he delegated his functions as Acting-Sirdar to Spinks Pasha, Inspector-General of the Egyptian Army. The "Times" expresses the view that pressure by the extreme Wafd party upon the Egyptian Government, followed by a recommendation against the renewal of the Sudan credits by a Parliamentary Committee, made it necessary for the British Government to declare its attitude on the army question very plainly. There is no question of withdrawing the recognition of tho independent status of Egypt which was conceded iu February, 1922, says the paper. Time and opportunity have been given for all the necessary internal adjustments in Egypt to conform to the new conditions of independence. A certain lack of responsiveness on the part of some prominent Egyptians has been tolerated or overlooked. Direct Challenge Offered. It is now felt, however, that it is not possible to disregard the direct challenge offered to the special interests reserved by Britain in the security of Egypt Britain is responsible for the security of the Suez Canal, and also for that of the foreign communities on Egyptian territory. This implies constant concern for the efficiency of the Egyptian Army and for the elimination of those influences which are liable to make the army the plaything of party strife, and which- are therefore injurious to its efficiency. In the Note which has been presented to Sarwat Pasha Britain's special interest in the Egyptian Army question was emphasised, and the Egyptian Government wa« requested to put forward proposals as to how the necessary cooperation by Britain in the military affairs of the country may be most effectively ensured. The "Times" adds: "All that has happened is that Britain has found it advisable to check certain tendencies in Egypt which, if they were allowed to develop, might become- dangerous. The British Note affords a reasonable opportunity for discussion, but certainly Britain does not intend to be quietly elbowed out of her clear responsibilities for the security of Egypt." HOW TROUBLE AROSE. Foreign Secretary's Statement To House. CONTROL OF ARMY. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON. June 1. Sir Austen Chamberlain, Foreign Minister, replying to questions in the House of Commons, said that for some time the Egyptian Army had attracted the attention of a section of local politicians seeking to increase its strength and also to convert it into a weapon at the disposal of only one party. This vitally concerned Britain in view of her interest in the defence of the Suez Canal and her obligation to protect foreigners. Britain could not afford to have the position complicated by the presence of a potentially hostile force. The Egyptian War Committee a few days ago had recommended the deputies to increase the strength and armament of infantry and to cancel the Sirdar's budgetary credit. The effect of the latter would be to bring the British Inspector-General and Commander-in-Chicf under the Egyptian Ministry, resulting in the ruling party i being able to exercise unchecked power over the Army. , The Hiprh Commissioner, after consultation with the British Government, sent a Note to the Egyptian Government, setting out the British viewpoint on the whole question, which was that it should properly be subject to the agreed settlement in the best interests of Britain and Egypt. The Note offered to negotiate til? such agreement was reached, provided the present safeguards were in the meantime continued. Efforts were meanwhile made to foment political excitement, such ns led to serious excesses in Alexandria in 1021. Three warships were sent to Egypt in the belief that their presence would restrain the disorderly elements which were the chief danger to the lives and \ interests of foreigners. | Conversations between Lord Lloyd and the .Egyptian Government were proceeding, therefore it was undesirable that he should be pressed to make a further statement. i Mr. J. R. dynes (Lab., Manchester) ! askcrl that the papers be tallied and' discussion permitted. Sir Austen Chamberlain said he would have liked to communicate the text of the Note, but thought it more courteous to leave the Egyptian Government time to consider it before publication. He would table the papers and allow discussion at the proper time.— (A. and X.Z. | and Sydney "Sun.")