EGYPTIAN RIOTS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16479, 24 March 1919, Page 7

EGYPTIAN RIOTS.

GARRISON REINFORCED. (By Cable. —Press i«aociation.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March 23rd k 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. March 22. The Nationalist movement in Egypt is almost general. The military suppressed outbreaks at Alexandria and elsewhere. In many instances attacks were made on the railway, telegraph and telephone systems, and railway stations and trains were plundered. General Allenby hurriedly left Paris for Cairo. The situatioh is regarded as grove. The garrison has been reinforced. GENERAL ALLENBY IN CHARGE. BRITISH OFFICERS MURDERED. (Renter's Telegrams.) (Received March 24th, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, March 21 Official. —In view of the grave situation in Egypt and the High Commissioner's absence, General Allenby has been appointed special High Commissioner for Egypt and the Soudan. He has been directed to exercise supreme authorit in all matters, military and civil, and take all measures he considers necessary and expedient to restore law and order in those countries and administer in all matters as may be required by the necessity of maintaining the King's protectorate over Egypt on a secure and equable basis. Following upon the deportation of four Egyptian agitators to Malta on March 9th, two of whom were exMinisters, riots broke out at Cairo on March 11th. attended by much damage and looting. The disturbances soon spread to the provinces. All communications were cut, completely isolating Cairo on March 17th, except for the wireless stations. Serious attacks were made on railway stations, trains, and British communities in some localities, resulting in terrible excesses, notably the murder of seven British officers in a train at Minia. The Commander-in-Chief is taking active repress've measures. Demonstrations are forbidden, and villages nearest any destroyed railway line will be burned. Punitive measures have already been taken in the districts where the greatest excesses occurred. The train service has been partially re-established to Port Said and Alexandria, but "Upper Egvpt is entirely cut off. Troops are distributed throughout the provinces. Airmen have done great service. Cairo is quiet, but strikes are general.