EGYPT AND RUSSIA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 December 1924, Page 5

EGYPT AND RUSSIA.

I BRITAIN’S POLICY > _ ; EGYPT AND THE SOVIET. r ; CONFIDENCE IN THE LEAGUE. i BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT t tt LONDON, Dec. 15. .. in the House of Commons the debate ’ ? n the Address-in-Reply was resumed ; ky Mj r C. P. Trevelyan (Labour), who attacked the Government’s policy towards Egypt and Russia. He asked whether Egypt was now really independent, and what the Government proposed to do with regard to Russia, with which country other countries were now making commercial agreements. Mr Austen Chamberlain (Minister for Foreign Affairs) said his conversations with M. Herriot (Premier of b ranee) and. Signor Mussolini (Premier of Italy) have been conducted in the spirit the League of Nations, establishing mutual relations of trust and confidence. He emphasised the ’fact tfiat the conversations had come as close to an agreement as possible, hut never at the expense of those who were not here. He had heard much of the foreign viewpoint regarding the Geneva aisarmament protocol,' but for himself ne was unable to express any opinion on the protocol on behalf of the Government, because the first Cabinet meeting to consider it was only held on the day of his departure. Mr Chamberlain said that inter-AUied debts were not discussed. It was not pretended that the conversations had decided great issues. I hey had not sought to make any new treaties or come to fresh decisions, but they had eliminated some small matters which would have been points of friction if they had not reached an agreement.to recognise the largeness of their common interests throughout the world, and to resolve each to do His best to prevent the small differences which must arise occasionally from impeding their co-operation in °Teater common interests. ° vr ße /it lrh ! g to . Mr Trevelyan’s speech, Mr Chamberlain said he had to come to the House of Commons to hear a really anti-British declaration. He had received from foreign statesmen many congratuUtions on the British attitude m the Egyptian crisis. Mr Chamberlain said that m the Sudan Britain must have authority to fulfil her obligations, « Egypt all Britain desired was that the Egyptian Government should do duty. If they were willing to do that, then they would find no bet- ™. e r ™°re l°V a l friends than the British Government and the British e ?i (Ministerial cheers.) ‘‘The Government does not'desire to interfere with the independence of Egypt, continued Mr Chamberlain, but we require that the Egyptian Government should work with and not against us, and accept loyally and frankly as. the basis of independence the conditions attached to its grant. If we had to deal with a friendly Egyptian Government, loyal to the conditions upon which our co-operation was based, we would invite them to • I ° in -i ir i. l an „ en <iun-y as to what water is available for the Sudan after inalcin" full allowances for Egyptian required ments, and -would propose a neutral chairman for a commission, upon which Egypt and the Sudan would lie represented.” Mr ChamberlainGlid not think that the Egyptian question in its present stage could come before the League of Nations. He pointed out all the effects that would ensue in the Sudan from the suggested application to the League * 0, ‘ 11 mandate for administration. The Minister mentioned the Zinovieff letter, the authenticity of which was confirmed bv four entirely trustworthy sources. He did not think it opportune to resume negotiations with the Soviet at present. Mr Chamberlain said there would never he an opportunity of getting the original Zinovieff letter. It was received ana destroyed by the Communist body here. Mr Chamberlain added that, coming fresh from the meetings of the League Council,, be could voice strong confidence in the future of the League. Mr Ramsay MacDonald. (Leader of the Labour Party) pressed the Government to afford members of the House an opportunity to discuss the protocol before consultation with tjie Dominions and urged the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Winston Churchill) to impress upon the Allies at the forthcoming conference of Ministers for Finance that it was necessary to ease the British taxpayers’ burden" resulting from the Allies’ non-payment of debts. Mr Arthur Ponsonby moved a Labour amendment, regretting the Government’s policy regarding Egypt and Russia. This was rejected by 363 votes to 132.