REFERENCE IN PARLIAMENT.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12532, 29 June 1906, Page 7

REFERENCE IN PARLIAMENT.

A PREMEDITATED OUTRAGE. DUE TO TURKISH INTRIGUE. (Received Juno 29th. 12.22 a.m.) LONDON, Juno 23. The evidence taken at Tantah fihows that the probability is that tho firo on tho threshing floor was preconcerted, becaufio tho distance from tho spot showed that it is impossible that tho outbreak could liavo been caused by shooting. Tho accidental discliaxge of a riflo after it was snatched from an officer wounded four natives. The officers, seeing that tho natives wore excited, surrendorod their riflce and withdrew. All wore pursued, and assaulted and robbed. Tfie officers and native witnesses identified tho ring-leaders. Captain Bull was a.'aail&d four miles from the place of the original interference. Mr Dillon enquired in the House* of Commons whether Sir Edward Grey would obtain a respite for tho Egyptians until tho evidence was examined in London. Sir H. Camphell-Bannerman, in Sir Edward Grey's absence, replied that Sir Edward Grey's and Lord) Cromer's discretion and humanity might bo fully trusted.

Sir Edward Grey, in reply to a Liberal deputation, promised to hold an enquiry into tho circumstances. He remarked that the case was probably a bad one, because officers wero assaulted after they had surrendered their weapons.

The consensus of newspaper opinion Ls that the recrudescence of fanaticism is duo to Turkish, wire-pulling in connection with the frontier incident. Tho Turkish emissaries in Egypt, and tho pan-Islamic agitators have been rendered desperate, and liavo been thrown on their own resources ever since tho Anglo-French convention and consent of tho Powers entrusted Great Britain with tho safety of Europeans.

" The Times " says the severity of tho sentences was imperatively demanded under the circurriGtances. "So long as we aro responsible for tho government of Egypt we must make our authority respected and suppress outbreaks with unsparing vigour." (Received June 28th, 1.8 a.m.) Tho executions havo been fixed for this afternoon. Tlie Alexandra correspondent of "The Times" says that tho evidence proved that tho attack had been premeditated months before. The " Daily Mail " .states that tho Court declared the attack to be premeditated.