ANGLO-EGYPTIAN RELATIONS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19692, 8 August 1929, Page 11

ANGLO-EGYPTIAN RELATIONS.

♦>_- — PROPOSED TREATY. TRANSFER OF BRITISH TROOPS. ADEQUATE SUEZ PROTECTION. (TJKiriD PRESS ASSOCIATION— BT ELECTRIC TXLEOaiPH -COPTKIOHT.) LONDON, August 5. The text is issued of the proposed Anglo-Egyptian treaty, "to achieve a lasting and honourable settlement of the questions outstanding between Great Britain and Egypt," which was submitted by Mr Arthur Henderson, Foreign Secretary, to the Egyptian Prime Minister on August 3rd. The draft of the treaty transfers British troops to the Canal Zone, east of longitude 32 degrees east. The proposals are as follows: (1) Military occupation of Egypt by British forces is terminated. (12) An alliance is established between the high contracting parties in consecration of their friendship, cordial understanding, aud good relations. (3) Egypt, being anxious to become a member of the League of Nations, will present, in the conditions prescribed by Article 1 of the Covenant, a request for admission to the League, which his Britunnio Majesty undertakes to support. (4) Should any dispute with a third State produce a situation involving risk of rupture with that State, the high contracting parties will concert together with a view to a settlement of the said di pute by peaceful means in accordance with the provisions of the League Covenant and of any other national obligations applicable to the case. (5) Each of the high contracting parties undertakes not to adopt in foreign countries an attitude which is inconsistent with the alliance, or will create difficulties for the other party thereto. In pursuance of this undertaking they will not oppose each other's policy in foreign countries, nor conclude with a third Power any agreement of a political character, which might be prejudicial to the interests of the other party. (6) His Britannic Majesty recognises that responsibility for the lives or property of foreigners in Egypt devolves heneeforth upon the Egyptian Government. The King of Egypt will ensure fulfilment of his obligations in this respect. (7) Should either of the high contracting parties become involved in a war, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 4, the other will immediately come to his aid in the capacity of an ally. In particular the King of Egypt will, in the event of war, or menace of war, furnish to his Britannic Majesty on Egyptian territory all facilities and assistance in his power, including the use of his p >rts, aerodromes and means of communication.

(8) In view of the desirability of identity in training and methods between the Egyptian and British Armies the King of Egypt undertakes that, should he deem it necessary to have recourse to foreign military instructors, these shall be chosen from British subjects. (9) In order to facilitate and secure protection of the Suez Canal as an essential means of communication between the different parts of the British Empire, the King of Egypt authorises his Britannic Majesty to maintain upon Egyptian territory, in localities to be agreed upon east of longitude 32 degrees east, such forces as his Britannic Majesty considers ne< essary for the purpose. The presence of these forces shall not constitute in any manner an occupation, and will, in no way prejudice the sovereign rights of Egypt. (10) The Egyptian Government, when engaging the services of foreign officials will, as a rule, engage British subjects.

(11) His Britannic Majesty recognises that the capitulatory regime now existing in Egypt is no longer in accordance with the spirit of the times, and with the present state of Egypt, and accordingly undertakes to use all his influence with the Powers possessing capitulatory rights In Egypt to obtain, on conditions that will safeguard the legitimate interests of foreigners, a transfer to mixed tribunals of the jurisdiction of the existing Con sular Courts, and the application of Egyptian legislation to foreigners. (12) His Britannic Majesty will be represented at the Court of the King of Egypt, by an Ambassador, duly accredited, and the King of Egypt will reserve the highest diplomatic rank at his Court to a representative of his Britannic Majesty. The King of Egypt will be represented at the Court of St. James by an Ambassador. (13) While reserving liberty to conclude new Conventions in future modifying the Conventions of 1899, the high contracting parties agree that the status of the Soudan shall be that resulting from the said Conventions. Accordingly, the Governor-General shall continue to exercise on the joint behalf of the high contracting parties the powers conferred upon him by the said Conventions.

(14) Nothing in the present proposals is intended to, or shall in any way, prejudice the rights and obligations which devolve, or may devolve, upon either of the high contracting parties under the Covenant of the League of Nations or the Treaty for the Renunciation of War signed at Paris on August 27th, 1928.

(15) Any difference regarding the application or interpretation of the present proposals which the parties are unable to settle by direct negotiations shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Covenant of the League of Nations.

(16) Any time after the expiration of a period of 25 years from the coming into force of the treaty based on the above proposals, such modification or its terms as may be deemed appropriate in the circumstances as they exist may be made by agreement between tne nign contracting parties. The Extreme Limit. Mr Henderson, in his covering note to the Egyptian Prime Minister, says: "The proposals, together with «P la " tory notes to be exchanged °» »J tte " of detail, which your Excellency is about to submit to the Egyptian Parhv ment represent the extreme limit.to which 1 could recommend his Majestj 3 Government in the United King loin of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to go in their desire to achieve• »•*«* and honourable settle^" outo[ic b %^n y s?wSuTXt!Sor^ party, wiH examine these..ftg"** [he same friendly and I *^^ which ha, tTwm'STn th 6 em » sal versations, and will fina > B , tib isfactory basis for future u tween our respective countries. U

this should be the verdict of the newlyelected Egyptian Parliament bis Majesty s Goverment, for their part, will immediately submit the proposals to Parliament with a view to the conclusion and ratification of the treaty carrying them into effect " Mohammed Mahmoud Pasha, Egvptian Prime Minister, in a Note acknowledging receipt of the proposals, says: "I realise that these proposals represent the extreme limit to which you could recommend his Britannic Majesty's Government to go, and for mv part I am prepared to submit them to the Egyptian people and Parliament in the sincere belief that their acceptance would be in the best interests of my country. I share the earnest hope of his Britannic Majesty's Government that these proposals will be examined by all patriotic Egyptians without distinction of party in the same friendly and conciliatory spirit in which they have been conceived and discussed by us, and that they will be found to ema satisfactory basis for future rela.ions between our respective countries. It is in this spirit and wiih this hope that I take back these proposals to the Egyptian people." Explanatory Notes. The explanatory notes to be exchanged deal with details of the proposals regarding army advisers, police, foreign oflieials and the Soudan. The notes on the army provide for the termination of the existing arrangements under which the Inspector-General and bis staff exercise certain functions, and the withdrawal of the British personnel from the Egyptian forces. The Egyptian Government avail themselves of the advice of a British Military Mission and will send the personnel of the Egyptian forces to be trained abroad to Great Britain. The armament and equipment of the Egyptian forces shall be the same as those in the British forces. Provision also is made for the Egyptian Government to supply accommodation and reasonable amenities for British troops in the Suez Canal zone, In return for the quarters they will vacate. Unless the two Governments agree to the contrary, the Egyptian Government will prohibit aircraft within 20 kilometres of the Suez Canal, excepting the forces of the two Governments or services maintained by genuinely British or Egyptian organisations operating under Egyptian authority. There will also be an exchange of facilities for military aircraft. The Egyptian note regarding advisers states that in order to secure the satisfactory competion of the exten sive programme of reform which the Egyptian Government is undertaking, t>»e best advice procurable will be required, and d-.ring the period needed for the completion of reforms, British sublets will bo employed ay financial adviser to the Egyptian Government and judicial adviser to the M.nistry of Justice. Future occupants of these posts will be selertsKi in with the P'itish Governments, and will receive appointments as Egyptian officers. —Australian Press Association Official Wireless

TERMS CRITICISED BY NEWSPAPERS. WEAKENING OF BRITISH AUTHORITY. (Received August 7th, 10 p.m.) LONDON, August 7. The proposals for an Egyptian treaty receive first place in the morning papers. The "Daily Telegraph" says: "It is barely five years since British and other foreign nationals were being murdered in the streets of Alexandria. It is now proposed that British protection shall be withdrawn without reserve. What would Great Britain's position as an ally of Egypt be in the event of another Power finding it necessary to land forces for purposes of protection t Such action has been threatened more than once." The "Daily Express" says: "Mr Henderson's first considered act as Foreign Secretary is to sever the last strands of British authority in a country which we redeemed from bankruptcy and put upon its feet." The paper describes the arrangement as foolish and cowardly, and asks where this progressive weakening of British authority is to end and what will be its outcome. The "Morning Post" does not think it too much to say that the withdrawal will lead to a new occupation by another Power, and thereby to another war, "for no other European nation would be tolerated by its neighbours in the position we are allowed to occupy. We tried to evacuate in 1885 and found it impossible; we attempted to do so again in 1922 and were prevented by the stubborn facts; we are yet again refusing to recognise the wisdom of leaving well alone." The "Morning Post" describes the prospective removal of British troops from the Suez Canal zone as "an act of gratuitous folly, unhumane to the troops and unsound strategically." EGYPTIAN PRESS OPINION. CAIRO, August 5. A leading article in one Egyptian newspaper, referring to the publication of the terms of the proposed AngloEgyptian treaty, fiercely appeals to the nation, declaring that since Britain addressed herself to the Egyptian people it is for them to reply, observing the motto, "Egypt Above All."—Australian Press Association, United Service. KING FUAD'S UNEXPECTED DEPARTURE. A SENSATION IN EGYPT. LONDON, August 6. King Fuad of Egypt left London for Paris this morning and will later proceed to Cairo. He was accompanied by Mohammed Mahmoud Pasha, Egyptian Prime Minister. Last night King Fuad revisited Sir Honald Lindsay, Permanent UnderSecretary for Foreign Affairs, at his hotel and had an hour's conversation with him. A message from Cairo states that King Fuad's cancellation of his visit to Newcastle 'owing to unforeseen circumstances" has caused a sensation in Egypt.—Australian Press Association, United Service, Official Wireless.