EVENTS IN EGYPT

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 189, 12 May 1928, Page 9

EVENTS IN EGYPT

EXPLANATION BY SIR A. CHAMBERLAIN

CRISIS NOT RESULT OF TREATY

REJECTION

SARWAT PASHA’S FRIENDLY OFFER

In the House of Commons Sir Austen Chamberlain gave an explanation of recent events in Egypt.

(British Official Wireless.)

Rugby, May 10.

In the House of Commons members raised questions regarding the recent events in Egypt. Sir Austen Chamberlain, Foreign Secretary, said that the recent crisis regarding Egypt was not out of the rejection of the treaty which was proposed by Sarwat Pasha, but was one of circumstances which had already too often produced a crisis before the treaty was thought of, and which, unless more wisdom was exercised in the direction of Egyptian policy in the future, would produce such a crisis again. It was because he felt this that he had tried to negotiate a treaty which should be a substitute for the unilateral declaration which at present regulated Anglo-Egyptian relations. Negotiations with Sarwat Pasha. Sir Austen explained how his negotiations with Sarwat Pasha for the treaty came about. He did not propose the treaty. Sarwat Pasha proposed the treaty to him. Sarwat, in the first business interview with him, offered explanations regarding the recent crisis which had occurred in Anglo-Egyptian relations. He thanked Sarwat for the explanations, but said that he. was less interested in explanations or comments on the past than in questions of what the present and future relations were to be and whether they were always to continue in the way they had done or whether the time had come or was coming when Egypt would recognise facts and by recognising those facts enter into an arrangement or treaty with Britain in substitution for the British unilateral declaration, which would at once strengthen Egyptian liberties and ensure those interests for the British Empire which successive British Governments had declared that this country must always maintain. In three days’ time Sarwat came back to the Foreign Office with the draft of a treaty which he offered. That was a serious friendly offer by the Egyptian Prime Minister. ‘ It required equally serious and friendly consideration on the British side, and he considered with Cabinet how much of Sarwat’s proposed treaty could be accepted, what variations might be made, and what could be suggested for the fulfilment of the purpose which Sarwat and the British Government had in common. Treaty Killed by Wafd. Sarwat went back to Egypt with the conviction that he had rendered great service to his country, Sir Austen continued. It was profoundly to be regretted that the wisdom was not there. The decision of the Wafd was unfavourable and the treaty was killed by them. In these circumstances he agreed with Mr. MacDonald’s opinion that negotiations would be useless until time and experience had done their work. Meanwhile, he hoped that it might be possible, at any rate on the side of the British Government, to conduct AngloEgyptian relations without recurring crises and without the necessity of resorting to grave warnings or even moving ships. PROBLEM MERELY SUSPENDED OPINION OF MR. J. R. MACDONALD (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) London, May 10. In the House of Commons, Mr. J. R. MacDonald, Labour leader, said that everyone must be unhappy and disquietened at the issue of the recent crisis in Egypt. The problem was merely suspended, unsolved by the ultimatum and movement of warships, which necessarily lowered us in the eyes of Egypt. “Let us make it perfectly clear,” he said, “that we have no intention of interfering with the national operation of self-government in Egypt. Any Government under the impression that it can go back to Cromerism will have a severe and tragic disillusionment.”