WOULD-BE DESPOT

Evening Star, Issue 18254, 19 April 1923, Page 9

WOULD-BE DESPOT

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright,

LONDON, April 18. A Cairo telegram Bays that popular resentment is increasing against the postponement of the promulgation of the new Egyptian Constitution. _ It is becoming clear that the reason is the contest between tho Cabinet and the Palaco regarding vital details. Wide publicity has been given in the native Press to an open letter by a member of the Constitution Commission to tho Premier, which has caused a sensation. It sots out the Egyptian King’s alleged claim to ho tho temporal and spiritual head of the country, especially to have sole control of the nomination of religious functionaries, which would give him a battalion of agents throughout the country qualified to sway the people.

According to a summary of the letter in tho ' Morning Post,’ the King _furtlier demands that a Cabinet Minister approach him only indirectly through members of tho court, which would weaken their position. The King also claims control of the Egyptian Ambassadors and Consuls, which would prae- ■ '"'illy give him control of foreign affairs, and also the liberty to distribute honors. The fact that the allegations were not rebutted is convincing the public that tho majority of tho Egyptians are opposed to absolutism. Tho Arabic Press says that thorn will he an open revolt if the King attempts to become a mediaeval despot.—A. and N.Z. Cable.