NEW ALLIANCE OF BRITAIN AND EGYPT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 205, 29 August 1936, Page 9

NEW ALLIANCE OF BRITAIN AND EGYPT.

TEXT OF THE TREATY.

Termination of Military

Occupation.

NEW DEFENCE ARRANGEMENT. ~~r~ British Official Wireless. (Received 11 a.m.) RUGBY, August 28. The text of the treaty of alliance between Britain and Egypt has been published as a White Paper. There are 16 articles.

The treaty terminates the military occupation of Egypt by the British forces and establishes an alliance between the two countries. It continues in force for 20 years, after which, if either party so requests, the parties are to negotiate with a view to revising the terms by agreement in the light of the then existing circumstances.

Negotiations for revising the treaty may, if both parties wish, be entered into at any time after 10 years. Any revision must provide for a continuation of the alliance in accordance with the principles contained in the present treaty.

The scope of the alliance is defined as follows:—Neither party shall adopt an attitude, or conclude a treaty, inconsistent with the alliance. They will consult each 11 other with a view to a peaceful settlement of any dispute with a third State which threatens a risk of a rupture with that State. Egypt's Aid in Event of War.

In the event of either party being engaged in war the other will come to its aid as an ally, subject to its obligations under the Covenant of the League of Nations or the Pact of Paris. It is provided in advance that the form of Egypt's assistance shall be as follows:—

In the event of war, an imminent menace of war or an apprehended international emergency, Egypt will accord all the facilities in its power to the United Kingdom. These facilities and this assistance are to include the use of Egyptian ports, aerodromes, means of communications and all the necessary administrative and legislative measures, including the establishment of martial law and an effective censorship. Among these will be included facilities for sending British forces or reinforce-

ments. Regarding the protection of the Suez Canal the treaty states that while the canal is an integral part of Egypt, it is a universal. means of communication between different parts of the British Empire. With a view to ensuring, in collaboration with the Egyptian forces, the defence of the canal the United Kingdom is authorised by Egypt to maintain in the canal zone not more than 10,000 land forces and air forces not exceeding 400 pilots, until such time as the two parties agree that the Egyptian army is capable of ensuring by its own resources the proper and entire security of navigation in the canal.

These numbers may be increased ii the event of war, a menace of war, o: an apprehended international emergency

At the end of the period of the treaty the question whether the Egyptian army has become capable to do this may, if the parties do not agree, be submitted to the League Council for decision in accordance with the provisions of the Covenant now in force or to. some other person or body agreed upon by the parties.

The Egyptian Government will build in the canal zone additional barracks required for British troops up to the number indicated above with full amenities and an emergency water supply according to the requirements of the British Government. v Road Construction. Also the Egyptian Government will construct roads, the most important of which are that across the delta from the canal zone to Alexandria and that from the canal zone to Cairo. It will also improve the railway facilities in the canal zone.

When this work has been carried out to tile satisfaction of both parties, British forces in Egypt, other than' those already stationed on the canal, will be withdrawn to the canal zone. This applies to forces in Cairo, including Abassia and Hplmia in Heliopolis, Helouan and Aboukir, but not to forces in Alexandria, which will remain in its present position for a period not exceeding eight years. That is the time considered necessary for the final completion of the new barracks accommodation in the canal zone and for the improvement of various roads and railway facilities.

There is also provision in the treaty for three other roads to be built as soon as possible.

Members of the British Air Force are permitted to fly wherever they consider it necessary for purposes of training, reciprocal treatment being accorded to the Egyptian Air Force in British territories.

Adequate landing grounds and seaplane anchorages are to be provided for the British Air Force in Egyptian territory and waters," and additional ones are to be furnished if the British authorities consider such necessary for army requirements.

While the British personnel at present with the Egyptian army will be withdrawn the Egyptian Government, in the interests of the alliance, will avail itself of the advice of the British Military Mission in order to perfect the training of the Egyptian army and air force. The British Government undertakes to provide appropriate training in the United Kingdom for such personnel of the Egyptian forces as the Egyptian Government may wish to send.

The armaments and equipment of the Egyptian forces will not differ in type from those of the British forces.

A later cable message from Cairo states that crowds there cheered members of the R.A.F. and shouted, "Long live Anglo-Egyptian friendship." Everywhere there i.- an unprecedented warmth of feeling towards Britain.