REJECTED PACT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 78, 2 April 1928, Page 7

REJECTED PACT.

NOTE TO BRITAIN. Egypt's Claim To Complete Independence. DEFENCE or SUEZ CANAL. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.; (Received 10.30 n.m.) LONDON, April 1.

The British Government has received the Egyptian Government's reply to the final British Note which followed Egypt's rejection of the 1927 treaty. The reply protests against so-called interference with Egypt's internal affairs. It also declares that Egypt is willing to ensure the safety of foreigners. However, the reply ignores the 1922 declaration containing the four reserved points. It also ignores Britain's Note to the Powers bv which Britain undertook to safeguard foreign interests.

It is now officially declared that a3 E „ y pt rejected the 1927 treaty Britain intends strictly to observe her responsit ities under the 1922 declaration, including the protection of foreigners. A message from Cairo states that the newspaper, "El Mokattam," says that no one knows what effect the Note will have on British opinion. Many expect that it will cause a Ministerial crisis in E^ pt- „ , The "Sunday Express" describes the reply « 8 insolent, and states that if the game attitude is persisted in Britain must dismiss the Egyptian troops from the Sudan and place it under British forces.

The Cairo correspondent of the "Sunday Express" earlier reported that the Egyptian Note contained a categorical declaration of its refusal to accept anything other than complete independence for Egypt, with the right to defend the Suez Canal with her own army and without the assistance of the British Array or Navy unless Egypt called upon them for support.

The Note also claimed the recognition that Egypt was no longer an alien member of the British Empire but an glly on an equal footing with Britain. —(A. and N.Z. and Sydney "Sun.")

"POLITICAL SUICIDE." Premier Stands Firm To TreatyRejection. , A TRUE FRIEND AND ALLY. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 1.

The "Daily Express'" special Cairo correspondent says that political observers are of opinion that Nahas Pasha's Note to Britain means his political suicide. He must either follow up the Note with action and pass legislation which Britain recently vetoed, or he must climb down and be discredited V bis followers. Nahas Pasha, in an interview, insisted that the Note spoke for the whole of the Egyptian people. Egypt's position was that first and foremost, it is nbt and never had been part of the British Empire. She wishes to be on most friendly relations with Britain on one basis of equality. British interests are in no wise incompatible with Egyptian independence. The Egyptian Army, he says, is strong enough to defend the Suez Canal with Britain ready to support when the necessity arises. Britain, in view of her naval strength, has nothing to fear about the Canal. Egypt is a true friend and ally, and would be proud of the British consent to complete independence. She- would never allow Britain to be supplanted.