The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22. 1922. THE DIFFICULT PROBLEM OF EGYPT.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6318, 22 February 1922, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22. 1922. THE DIFFICULT PROBLEM OF EGYPT.

The intimation that the negotiations in connection with the political future of Egypt have resulted in a complete agreement as to the basis on which they shall he conducted is of considerable interest to the whole Empire. I.t is well-known that \ iscount Allenby, the British High Commissioner for Egypt, was, lor a time, at variance with the Home Government in regard to the matter and his visit to London has, seemingly, ended satisfactorily. Since .1883, when the Eranco-British control of Egypt came to an end, Britain has been in occupation‘‘of the “Land of the Pharaohs.” On account of the pro-Gcimaii leanings of the then .Khedive, it was found necessary on the part of Britain to appoint a fresh ruler and establish a Britjsh protectorate. There has, however, been a great amount of unrest in Egypt since the close of the European War, the agitation taking tlie form of an appeal for complete independence. • As a sequel to the report of the Milner Commission, a ■proclamation was issued, in 1919, delining the aims of the British Government, in the following terms: — “The policy of Great Britain in Egypt is to preserve the autonomy' of that country under British protect ion, and to develop the system of self-government under"an Egyptian ruler. The object of Great Britain is lo defend Egypt against all external danger and interference by any foreign Power, and at the same time to establish a constitutional system' wherein—under British guidance as far as may be necessary—Uic Sultan and his Ministers and the elected representatives of the people may, in their several spheres, and in an increasing degree, co-operate in the management of - Egyptian affairs.”

It would seem, however, that the leaders of the “Egypt for the Egyptians” party will be content with nothing short of complete independence. Their attitude brings up the question as to whether cr not the Egyptians are capable of governing themselves properly and., also as to whether or not the experiment would be advantageous to then British Empire. Wo are afraid that, if Britain should decide to withdraw altogether from Egypt, it would be a had day for the Empire, both as far as Egyptian affairs and the control of the Soudan arc concerned. There are three distinct elements in the native S lllation of Egypt—the Fellaliin, ouin, and Nubian, numbering m all about 12,000,000, whilst»the European population of about 250,L00 includes only about 24,000 ol British, nationality. The great bulk of the natives arc Mohammedans, and competent observers say* that the people represent an inert, inarticulate mass, essentially the same to-day as were, their ancestors before the Pyramids were built. As to whether or not the Egyptians arc capable of establishing good government, Lieut.-Colonel Havvkcs,°\vho has devoted much time to a study of the people and of their conditions, Has this to say: “Able and conscientious men exist among the Egyptian politicians and in the great Moslem University of El Azhar; do they possess a complete equipment of political efficiency ? The tested framework of government is there; the financial means or carrying .it on are consolidated. Will the individuals to whom it is entrusted prove to the world their capacity for responsible administration?. Or ,will they allow themselves to be overcome by the triple curse of Oriental politics —corruption, faction, and personal intrigue? If these old ineradicable under-currents forco their way • to the surface history will but repeat itself: the Courbash and the Corvee will return, 'and Egypt will slip baffic into the old morass of misgovernment and slavery.”

If Egypt he granted total independence, well might there he grave misgivings as to the safety of Britain s main line of communications with the East—the Suez Canal. The British Government has most assuredly a very thorny problem to handle in the' case cf Egypt and it is to be trusted that Lord Allenby has not been invited to agree to the complete . cessation of British influence in Egypt.