THE CRISIS IN EGYPT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 205, 24 May 1919, Page 7

THE CRISIS IN EGYPT

AND THE )VAY OUT CALL FOB QUICK ACTION (By the Hon. George. Peel, in the London "Daily News.") There is urgent need for prompt action in-Egypt. Beforo I explain what wo dhoukl do I must furnish a brief porsonal explanation as to why I write. After serving in the Dardanelles campaign -with the lloyal . Naval Division, I was trans, ferred to Egypt, where I administered a Department under tho Commander-in-Chief. At the closo of 1917, my health being temporarily impaired, I came home, and was electcd to a seat in the -House of Commons. At the opening of 1918, in consequence of my anxiety as to coming events in Egypt, I wrote an article in the "New Europe," entitled "Self-Dclormina-tion in Egypt," in which I gave a plan of tho reforms which I considered necessary. On its appoaranco my dear and lamented friend, Sir Hark Sykes, discussed it with me in all its bearings on behalf, as I gathered, of Lord Eobcrt Cecil, and I was struck with his sound and enlightened views. Nothing, how* over, resulted. In this present Parliament I had intended to raise the question, and to urge proper measures before it was too late. But to angle for the coupon appeared to me to be so impropor that I took the course of what I conceived to be honour, and, in consequence, I lost my seat ,at tho general oleotion. Therefore,, to my pen. First,- in order to meet the present crisis, wo should announce at once our intention of reverting to thoso liberal principles enunciated by Lord Dufierin in his State paper on Egypt of February G, 1883, and, above all, by Lord ICitchenor in his great and. memorable report on Egypt dated March 28, 1914. Tho latter document consists in its introduction of' an .elaborate defence for the'extension of the scope of free institutions in Egypt. l ? or that eminent man had set himself to leorganise the institutions set on foot.by Lord Dulferin on a liberal basis. "With regard to representative institutions in Egypt," Lord Kitchener wrote that ho had "decided to reform tho existing procedure in a liberal manner," and m his Legislative Assembly ho was as good as his word. He also passed a new electoral law "in order to obtain a more direct and equitablo representation of the inhabitants."

As regards tho first elections held in. December, 1913, ho wrote: "The electoral law has, in my opinion, especially in view of its novelty to all concerned, worked extremely well. The elections were carried out in perfect order. The most successful candidates were tho local landowners, personally known to the voters, and carpet-baggers met with little success." Thus thero was no coupon system. He added that "on tho wholo tho composition of the new Chamber may bo considered satisfactory. It contains much good material in tlio shape of men knowing tho real needs and_ desires of tho country and able to give expression to them."

All this Dullerin-lvitchener system has now been bundled out of sight. Get back to Liberalism!

We must remember that iiy taking away free institutions from Egyjit wo lmve promised free institutions to India. The position is thus not very sound logically, and not very easy to bo defended. Much moro than this, tho llritish Government, in establishing tho present Protectorate in December, 191*1, publicly and solemnly pledged itself to remain faithful, in internal administration, to tho policy of reform and economic progress, and promised to associate tho governed in the task of government in such measure as the enlightenment of public opinion permitted. The British Government also declared itself convinced that the clearer definition of Great Britain's position in the country would 'accelerate progress towards self-govern-ment. This solemn pledge awaits specific fulfilment. We must not break our word.

The second step which should l?c taken is to dispatch a Commission at once to Egypt to inquire into the working of martial law. The' administration of this law is an important factor in tho present situation. In Egypt .1 noticed no fewer than. five administrations superimposed and intcrtangled with each other —a native, a Foreign Office, an international, an ecclesiastical, and lastly a military Government. For Egypt specialises in Governments. She collects old governments as people hero collect old china. She is the stud-farm of administration's. But recently tlie pruceSs lias been for the military administration to overlay and oust all the other administrations that. jostle each other in that land ol' chaos'. Hence further dissatisfaction !

The third step to be taken is as regards the organisation of the Foreign Uffico in relation to Egypt. Jf the eminent officials of the Foreign (JHico who now deal willi Egypt will allow me t\> say so without offence, thev discharge their duty as ably and us efficienlJy as is possible without an adequate organisation. One of my suggestions last year was that they should have an Egyptian Department, which 6liould keep I rank of all things Egyptian. But lam afraid they will tear me limb from iimb if I go on to suggest that tlie.v should lako a leaf out of the book of the India Office and should call in a few, eminent native Egyptians to their counsels. What t said, then, in January, 11118, I say now with more emphasis and with more confidence, now that what 1 feared has happened. Act now! Do not delay! For, in I lie words of Lord Dufferin, written in ISS, in a moment of political inspiration, "the Egyptian is unexpectedly appreciative of his legitimate political interests and moral rights."

A resolution has been adopted by tlio lhirder Cities Branch of the Canadian War veterans dodarinS; Ihnt the refusal of 1-esl-aurah Is at/Windsor, Ontario, lo serve coloured soldiers in uniform is an insult to His Majesty's Forces, who arc entitled to equal, treatment regardless of colour.