IN EGYPT.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 2524, 21 December 1914, Page 2

IN EGYPT.

HOW THEY CHANGED RULERS

Melbourne, December 19. Mr Bean, official war correspondent lor the Federal Government with tke Australian forces, cabling irom Cairo some details of the annexation of Egypt by Britain, states that the announcement was suppressed. Nobody, not even the peasantry, knew that a change was impending. The majority realise that British rule is infinitely preferable to Turkish. The Khedive, who was on a holiday in Europe at the beginning of the war, went to Constantinople, where he intrigued with the Turks. 'While there an Egyptian .Nationalist attempted to murder him. His assailant was killed, the Khedive escaped, though hit by several bullets. Later, he definitely took the Turkish side, and expressed hostile sentiments towards the British Government, which decided not to allow him to return to Egypt. The Khedive's personal influence in the government was always hopelessly corrupt, and his methods of ing money by the sale of titles and taking money from magnates with whom he stayed on tour was lately growing into a scandal.

London, December 19. Britain has informed Prince Hussein (uncle of the-deposed Khedive) that he was chosen Sultan because, as a prince of the Mehemet Ali family, ho was the worthiest to occupy the new position. Egypt's foreign relations will henceforth be conducted through Britain's High Commissioner. Revision of the capitulations, postponed until the end of the war, will present. clearer definitions of Britain's position in Egypt and accelerate progress towards self-govern-ment. . The Egyptians' religious convictions -will be scrupulously respected. In declaring Egypt free from •any duty of obedience to usurpers of political power in Constantinople, the British Government is animated by no hostility towards the Caliphate. Tho past history of Egypt showed the loyalty of the Egyptian Mohammedans towards the Caliphate. Independent of any political bonds between Egypt and Constantinople, the strengthening and progress of Mohammedan institutions in Egypt is a matter •wherein, in carrying out such reforms as may be necessary, Hussein may count on the British Government's sympathetic support. The Government confidently rely upon tbo loyalty, good sense, and self-restraint of Egyptian subjects to facilitate the task of tho Commander of the Forces, who is entrusted with the maintenance of order and the prevention of the rendering of aid to the enemy. Sultan Hussein, interviewed by a Times correspondent, said: "I have never been a Pretender, and, since the suppression of the Arabs, was convinced that Egypt needed European direction. lam grateful to the British. My views aro known to Lord Cromer, Sir John Gorst, and Earl Kitchener. Egypt has now become the centre of extensive cultivation in morale as well as material." Router's Cairo correspondent says the Union Jack was hoisted at the British Agency and a salute of 101 guns was fired at Alexandria, Port .Said and Cairo. Tho protectorate is cordially received. King George telegraphed congratulations to the Sultan of Egypt, expressing the conviction that* the cooperation -of Ministers with the Protectorate of Britain will successfully overcome the' influences seeking to de.stroy the independence of Egypt and the liberty and happiness of the people. Tho new Sultan, Hussein, has received the Grand Cross of the Bath. Official.—Prance has recognised the British protectorate in Egypt and Britain adheres to the Franco-Moor-ish Treaty. Reuters Rome correspondent says tho protectorate is heartily welcomed in Italy, auguring the increased prosperity and stability of Egypt, implying greater advantages in Libya for Italy.