THE TROUBLES OF EGYPT.

Evening Star, Issue 22247, 27 January 1936, Page 8

THE TROUBLES OF EGYPT.

An illustration of the truth of the axiom that silence is golden was given in a speech made by Sir Samuel Hoare as Foreign Minister at the Guildhall on November 9. References that he made to Egypt were reassuring and conciliatory to Nationalists. He promised that Great Britain would not use the Ethiopian crisis to advance her interests at the expense of those of Egypt; expressed Great Britain’s gratitude for Egyptian co-operation in the matter of sanctions; and denied that Great Britain was opposed to the return in Egypt “of a constitutional regime suited to her special interests. If he had let the matter rest there all would have been well, but he added the unnecessary remark: “ When, however, we have been consulted we have advised against the of the constitutions of 1923 and 1930, since the one was proved unworkable and the other universally unpopular.” Extreme Nationalist sentiment, which is represented by the Wafd, was roused to fury, and since then -the conditions in the country have been disturbed, with fierce demonstrations that have resulted in rioting and bloodshed, and at the moment the position is grave. The Wafd withdrew its support from the Government, which was compelled to resign, but the latest report is that its leader (Nahas Pasha) is ready to form a neutral Cabinet on condition that he heads a commission to negotiate with Britain, the majority of that body to consist of members of his party. Captain Eden, since taking the portfolio of Foreign Affairs, has adopted a sympathetic attitude to Egyptian aspirations, and there should not be any insuperable difficulty in devising a scheme that would reasonably meet the Nationalist demands. The British Minister in Cairo, acting no doubt in accord with instructions from London, has declared that Britain is willing to negotiate a new treaty if Egypt shows her readiness to come to a satisfactory agreement on military questions.

King Fuad has been consistent in his attitude to Britain, realising the immense benefits conferred on his country by British association with its protection and economic development. In 1922 the British Declaration which terminated the Protectorate reserved certain points. These related to the integrity of the Sudan, the protection of foreign interests and minorities, and the defence of Egypt and the Suez Canal. The constitution of 1930, which was suspended more than a year ago, was Universally unpopular, and the constitution of 1923 was regarded by unbiased observers as wholly unsuited to Egypt. In practice it gave unlimited power to the parliamentary majority—the fanatical Wafd—which, it is declared, hamstrung the executive, legislated in the selfish interests of its members, and inaugurated a “ spoils ” system—a reversal to the corruption of Turkish days—in compile disregard of efficient administration. Nahas Pasha, the Wafd leader, in outlining his

party’s policy, said it demanded that Britain fulfil her promise of Egypt’s independence, and believed the time to be propitious. He declared that the VTafd, which means the great majority of the people, wanted to be Britain’s ally, and not her vassal. “We are ready and willing to sign a treaty with England.” he said, “ permitting her to use our harbours and facilities in case of war, but it ’must, be on a basis of Egypt as an independent ally.” The Wafd has the remedy in its own hands. The points mentioned above, the safeguarding of which is essential, were “ absolutely reserved ” to the British Government until agreements concerning them were concluded between the two Governments, Let the Nationalists provide assurances of their sincerity and good faith, and there is no reason to doubt that a constitution which they would help to draft, could be devised, which would give the country independenoe in a very real sense.