INDEPENDENCE OF EGYPT.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17808, 6 July 1923, Page 10

INDEPENDENCE OF EGYPT.

ABOLITION OF MARTIAL LAW. POLITICAL PRISONERS TO BE RELEASED. (BT CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATIOX —COPTEIOHT.) (AUSTBALIAX AND H.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATIOS.3 (Received July sth, 10.30 p.m.) CAIRO, July 4. Simultaneously with the promulgation or the Indemnity Act, martial law will be abolished in Egypt on Thursday and 250 political prisoners -will be released immediately. A reservation is made empowering the military court now conducting the conspiracy trial, to finish its task and pronounce sentence.. .All other cases of Egyptians sentenced by military courts will be sifted by a committee consisting of two Egyptians and one English judge, who will advise the Egyptian Government where remission or cancellation of the sentences is possible. These measures mark the final stage of the British policy initiated on February 28th, 1922, declaring Egypt an independent sovereign State. The country is now more tranquii than at any time since the war. [On December 18th, 1914, a British Protectorate over Egypt was declared, the Khedive was deposed, and the title of Sultan of Egypt was conferred on Hussein Kamui, who, on his death in J 917, was succeded by Xing' Fuad, the present ruler. • In November, 1919, it wa3 officially announced that tne policy of Great Britain in Egypt was to preserve the autonomy of that country under British protection and to develop the system of self-government under an Egyptian ruler; and that the object of Britain was to defend Egypt from all external danger and interference by any foreign Power. A Mission, under Lord Milner, was sent to Egypt with the purpose p of working out this policy. At the end of 1921 the Egvptian Government discussed with the" British Government the question of substituting for the protectorate a relationship which, while securing the special interests of Britain, would meet the legitimate aspirations of Egypt, but no agreement was reached. Discussions were renewed early in 1922, and it was officially announced on February 28th that the protectorate was to he terminated, and Egypt recognised as an independent sovereign State, the British Government reserving for future discussion the questions of security of communications in Egypt, defence, protection of foreign interests, and of minorities, and the Soudan. Serious i disturbances in Alexandria and Cairo led to the proclamation of martial law by Lord Allenby, British High Commissioner, and the arrest and deportation of certain political leaders.]