AFFAIRS IN EGYPT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 June 1927, Page 9

AFFAIRS IN EGYPT

CONTROL OF THE ARMY.

LOCAL POLITICIANS AT WORK.

WHY BRITAIN INTERVENED

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT,

Received 12.40 p.m to-day. XjONDO’JST, June 1. Sir Austen Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, replying to questions, said that for some time the Egyptian army had attracted the attention of’’' a section of the local politicians who were seeking to increase their strength, also to convert it into a weapon at the disposal only of one party. This vitally concerned Britain, in view of her interest in the defence of the Suez Canal and her obligation to protect foreigners. Britain eould not afford to have the position complicated by the presence of a potentially hostile force. The Egyptian War Committee, a few days ago, recommended the deputies to increase the strength and armament ofi the infantry and artillery and the cancellation of the Sirdar’s Budgetary credit. The effect of the latter would be to bring thei VBfitish and Coinmander-in-Chief under the Egyptian Ministry, resulting in the ruling party being able to exercise unchecked power ‘over the army. The High Commissioner, after consultation with the British Government, sens a Note to the Egyptian Government setting out the British viewpoint on the whole question, which was 'hat it should properly be the subject is an agreed on settlement in the best interests of Britain and Egypt. The Note offered to negotiate till such an agreement was reached, provided the present safeguards, in the meantime, continued.

Efforts were meanwhile made to foment political excitement, such as led to the serious excesses in Alexandra in 1921. Three warships were sent to Egypt in the belief that their presence would restrain the disorderly elements, which were the chief danger to the lives and interests of foreigners. Conbetween Lord Lloyd and the Egyptian ‘ Government were proceeding. Therefore it would be undesirable that he should be pressed to make, a filrther statement_ Mr. Coynes asked that the papers be tabled and a discussion permitted. Sir Austen Chamberlain said that he would like to communicate the text of the Note, though it was more courteous to leave the Egyptian Government time to consider it before the publication. He would table the papers and allow a discussion at the proper time. —Aus. Press Assn, and “Sun.”