The Northern Advocate Daily FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 1936. BRITAIN AND THE SPHINX

Northern Advocate, 3 January 1936, Page 4

The Northern Advocate Daily

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 1936. BRITAIN AND THE SPHINX

Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper.

Recent messages received from Cairo indicate that the Egyptian students have chosen a very inopportune, time to stir up trouble with the British Administration. Mussolini’s invasion of Ethiopia should have assisted in the settlement of the dispute between the two countries, by making clear their underlying community of interest. To Egyptian eyes is must now be obvious—with the fate of Tripoli and Abyssinia and Manchuria in full view —that the choice is not between the British connection and independence, but between the British connection and one with some other European Power, which would be imposed, as the British connection was imposed in JBB2, by force. And the fable of the dog and the ticks would suggest that it is wiser for the Egyptians to help the British, especially at this time, when the Empire is fighting the battle for the coloured races, than to try the Italians. whose record in colonisation has not been a very benign one from the point of view of the subject, peoples. On the other hand, it must be equally obvious to British eyes that, if a challenge is going to he offered to British power in the Mediterranean, Britain cannot afford that the eonnee! ion of Egypt with the Empire should continue to be one of

duress. It must lie Britain’s aim! to place Anglo-Egyptian relations on at least as satisfactory a footing as Anglo—lraqni relations. Politically, and morally, Britain needs Ho have the Egyptians as friends and allies, and not as unwilling puppets. The universal sympathy in Egypt for the Copts’ Abyssinian co-religionists is another sign that in Egypt the old religions wound is no longer open. As for the AngloEgyptian condominium in the Sudan, which has proved the most difficult point hitherto, it will evidently be easier for the British authorities to re-admit into practical, as well as juridieial partnership, an Egyptian partner who has no more desire than his British colleague to see both portions alike evicted by some foreign Power. In fact, on all points, the moment is singularly favourable for negotiation. While it is a case where prudence counsels speed and not. delay, ■ the negotiations should not be shadowed by the violent demonstrative methods of the students, who are doing no more than harass Britain when .her hands are fully engaged attempting to preserve world peace and to keep Abyssinia inviolate. Mr Eden, the British Foreign Secretary, was reported yesterday to have replied sympathetically to the United Front Note asking for an Anglo-Egyptian treaty on the lines of the 1930 agreement, under which Egypt will become an independent nation, qualified to join the League. And yet this ,1930 agreement, which gave -'“palace government,” was highly unpopular among a large section of the Egyptians. In 192728, and again l in 1929-30, the outstanding points came near to settlement and there is no reason why Mr Eden should not carry these discussions forward now that circumstances are favourable and see that Egypt obtains a workable constitution which will satisfy the , Egyptians ; and afford ample protection for Britain’s legitimate interests.