The Hawera Star. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1924 THE EGYPTIAN OUTRAGE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 November 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1924 THE EGYPTIAN OUTRAGE.

Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock m Hawera 'Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangai, Meremere, Frasex Road, and Ararata.

Is Egypt, the ancient land of battles, and the gateway to India, .to provide the fires that will be fanned so as to scorch the world and plunge the nations into conflict? To-day’s cable messages would seem to indicate that this is possible. The assassination of the Sirdar of Egypt following upon the resignation of Zaghlul and the recent disturbances and agitations throughout the country raises a position that is likely to prove very serious. It will be remembered that Zaghlul visited London a few weeks ago, but found that the MacDonald Government was not prepared to meet his demands, and he. returned to Egypt disappointed. The problem in Egypt has for many years been one of exceptional difficulty. The land in which civilisation had its birth has itself been the scene of many very terrible battles, and Egypt has been a troublesome land for Britain _ to manage. During the early part of the war against Germany Egypt became well known to many thousands of Australians and Hew Zealanders, who will probably understand better the difficulties facing Britain in her control of the country than those who have never been there. At enormous expense Britain has assisted Egypt to become a fertile country, and the progress made during the last half century is mainly due to British enterprise. But evil influences have for long been at work, and in the Near and Middle East there are signs of much trouble. Mosul, Mecca, the Sudan, and now Cairo have all been centres of serious disturbance during the last few weeks, and it look as if the

reports of some months ago that the whole Islamic world is in a state of

ferment and unrest are warranted, and that the nations are likely to witness a great upheaval some day throughout the Mohammedan countries. Further East is India, with problems far from settled, and China in a very troubled state, and then Japan. We suppose that one may regard the whole of these problems as being really one—White v. Coloured. The outlook does not apparently improve very much with the passing of the years, and added to the old problems of colour and religion there is Bolshevism. The Bolsheviks have for a long time past made no secret of their desire to arouse the peoples of Asia and Islam in a world-wide revolution. The assassination of the Sirdar of Egypt may or may not lead to a great upheaval, but whether it does or not Britain must take such action as she thinks fit to uphold her prestige and honour, and upon how that action is viewed in the East will depend the course of subsequent events. Britain cannot withdraw from her position of control in Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia, and India, for if she did confusion would soon follow, and out of it would probably arise a terrible and widespread conflict, perhaps a challenge from the East against Western civilisation. Thus viewed, the assassination of the Sirdar must be regarded as a very serious matter, and Britain’s attitude will be followed with close attention by the Powers, and also by the peoples of Asia. Let us hope that the Egyptian leaders will show plainly that the assassins’ shots are noti an indication of a widespread plot against British control. A message received just as we go to press states that the attitude of the Egyptian Cabinet is not wholly reassuring, the Government being apparently unwilling to accept the British demands. Further news will be keenly awaited.