Egyptian Politics

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26671, 4 March 1952, Page 6

Egyptian Politics

jit seems clear that the change of Prime Ministers in Egypt is due entirely to reasons of domestic politics and has nothing to do with the resumption of diplomatic contacts with Britain. Aly Maher Pasha’s achievement in quickly ending the turmoil of the last days of Wafd Party rule does great credit to him; the establishment of relative tranquillity was largely a result of a remarkable exercise of personality. It detracts little from Aly Maher Pasha’s achievement to point to the extent to which it Was facilitated! by the' attachment and ostensible] subservience of the Wafd Party to; the new Government. The Wafd, though financed by a clique of| wealthy pashas, is the Only popu-i larly-based party in Egypt; it holds a majority in the Chamber of Deputies. Its leaders were shamed into quiescence after the murderous Cairo riots of January 26, which their policy deliberately courted; it became expedient for them to pro-

claim support of their successors in office. This attitude was helpful to Aly Maher Pasha at first; but the Wafd soon began to put a price on its allegiance. Part of this price is believed to be suppression by the Government of reports of investigations into the Cairo riots, for which some held Fuad Serag el Din Pasha, the Wafdist Minister of the Interior the heir apparent to Nahas Pasha, mainly responsible. The British Government’s Note of February 6 cited conclusive proofs of the ‘ indifference to the main- “ tenance of public order and “ security ”, for which King Farouk dismissed the Wafd Government. Aly Maher Pasha’s Government appeared to accept official culpability when it dismissed the chief of the Cairo police, together with other senior officials. But presumably to retain Wafdist support, it has refused to publish the official report of the riots. This is believed to have displeased those—among them the Palace authorities—who arc anxious to have King Farouk’s reason for dismissing the Wafd Government thoroughly substantiated, and who wish to prevent the Wafdists from re-establishing their popularity with the people. In a cryptically-worded letter of resignation, Aly Maher Pasha has laid down office. He is succeeded by Naguib Hilaly Pasha, who, tne terms of his letter accepting’ office imply, is prepared to fight the Wafdist leaders with vigour. It is suggested that the report of the riots will now be published. Hilaly Pasha has made an outspoken attack on corruption in political life; and the Wafd is held to be particularly vulnerable in this respect. The suspension of Parliament for a month will save Hilaly Pasha from the embarrassment of parliamentary interference with any immediate action; Hilaly Pasha’s powers are strengthened by his appointment as Military Governor-General. Hilaly Pasha has certainly a fertile field for work if he seriously aims to cleanse Egyptian politics, to restore order, and to eliminate corruption. While following his efforts with close interest and wishing h'm Well With them, most observers of the turbulent and dangerous Egyptian scene will be satisfied if the change in Prime Ministers hojds and consolidates the remarkable change for the better that the brief regime of Aly Maher Pasha produced. |