EGYPTIAN POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 23, 28 January 1924, Page 6

EGYPTIAN POLICY

; There is a friendly note id the speech made by the Nationalist leader Zaghlul Pasha concerning, outstanding Anglo-Egyptian problems ; but it may not be wise to assume that this will prepare the ■way for a "final settlement. Zaghlul Pasha returned to Egypt from exile last September, and was warmly welcomed. It may be that hip exile .taught him wisdom, or that the state of Egypt upon his return convinced him that the country could not yet be completely independent of foreign aid. At any rate, in the elections which followed closely upon his return the Zaghlulists endeavoured to remove an impression of hostility to Britain. It was emphasised that their programme of complete independence for Egypt was to be obtained by amicable consultation with Britain.- This assurance of friendliness is reported to have contributed to the overwhelming victory of the Zaghlulists. Whether the same spirit wijl be maintained now that the Nationalists are in the saddle cannot yet besaid. Zaghlul Pasha's speech appears to be inspired by expectation of greater concessionsfromtheLabour Government than Egypt was able to obtain from the Conservatives. Labour has professed sympathy for the Nationalists, but it has been the sympathy of a party in opposi-, tion. When Labour in office comes to deal with the outstanding Egyptian problems, it may discover that it cannot grant all that is asked. There are four problems of. great importance: the control of ,the Sudan, defence of Egypt against external aggression, safeguarding foreign interests, and maintenance of inter-Imperial communications. India, Australia, and New Zealand have a particular interest in the last question, and any satisfactory settlement with Egypt must take accfiunt of their point of yiewj,