"IN PRINCIPLE."

Northern Advocate, 31 January 1922, Page 5

"IN PRINCIPLE."

EGYPT'S AUTONOMY. mf.ewng the demands. BRITISH COMPLAISANCE. LONDON, Jan. 29. The London "Observer" states that the Government is prepared to grant Egypt full independence in principle, and that an official announcement will be made on Monday defining the exact length that the Government is prepared to go. The matter will be thrashed out when Parlinanent meets in Febru-

The demands of 4he Egyptian Nationalists have extended since the Irish settlement, :md they want more than the degree of independence outlined, in the report of the Milner Commission. The British Government recognises that no Egyptian Government can take office unless its programme is ,based on complete independence, and it is neither the practice nor the inclination of the British people to meet such demands with g rape shot.

The "Observer" adds that the Egyptians will gasp with pleasure when they read Monday's announcement, but the principle that Britain must be the paramount foreign Power in dealing with Egypt will be made explicit; also British communications to India, the Far East, and Australia and New Zealand must be .safeguarded.

The Foreign Office has issued a statement confirming the return of Lord Allenbv as High Commissioner for Egypt. It says that while unwilling to cede to disorder or violence what they were prepared to grant on its own merits, the Government, expresses its readiness to invite Parliament to tenmir.ate the protectorate and recognise the existence of Egypt as a sovereign State on the following conditions: —That the Imperial communications to which Egypt is essential are assured; that Britain retain the right anci power to protect foreign communities in Egypt, anrt that Egypt is safeguarded against all foreign .aggression or interference. With an agreement embodying these conditions is arrived at between the Egyptian Government J'nd Britain, the latter Government will invite Parliamentary sanction. —A. and N.Z.