BRITISH NOTE TO EGYPT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 24 November 1924, Page 5

BRITISH NOTE TO EGYPT

PEREMPTORY DEMANDS (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) 'Australian ami IM.Z. Cable Association) , ' LONDON, Nov. 22. The Daily Telegraph's diplomatic cor. respondent says the terms of the Government's Note to Egypt will not be issued till tho Note reaches Cairo. It contains most peremptory demands, calling for full amends. Moreover, in view of reasons for inability to conduct investigations given by two British police officials employed in Cairo, the Note will "press for the most rigorous search for, and punishment of all culprits and their powerful patrons. But Britain is not likely to be driven to any fundamental alteration of policy. She does airi puo 'uepng o\\-\ jxautre <>i pu.>im ion Anglo-Egyptian condominium, or revoke the 1922 unilateral declaration of Egypt's independence, which, not having been accepted by Egypt is strictly within Britain's power on revocation only. The political consequence of the murder will be the earlier adjustment of outstanding Anglo-Egyptian 'issues within the. 1922 declaration. Respect for law' and order must be ensured, if necessary by Britain's military authorities ; and it should not be forgotten that the British are empowered to rcimpose martial law at any moment. NOTE COUCHED IN STRONGEST TERMS LONDON, Nov. 22 After an emergency meeting of the Cabinet, Sir L. Worthington Evans and Mr Bridgeman conferred with Admiral Reattie, General -oavan and Sir Hugh Trent-hard for two hours and discussed the movement of the Mediterranean Heet from Malta to Alexandria. It is officially explained that this transfer is merely" seasonal, but relief is felt in official circles at the opportuness in view of recent happenings in Cairo. The Foreign Office Note to Egypt is couched in the strongest terms and embodies a/series of demands relating to points upon which British opinion has long held that attention by Egypt is overdue. THE KING'S SYMPATHY LONDON, Nov. 22' The King telegraphed Lord Allenby, "Deeply grieved at death of General Lee Stack. I feel bitterly the indignity inflicted on my army by the cruel murder'of one of its distinguished officers." DUMDUM BULLETS DISCOVERED CAIRO, Nov. 22 A dumdum bullet with deliberate cuts across the top was extracted from the Sirdar's body. Another similar bullet was discovered in the car. Several arrests are reported, but beyond finding two witnesses who believe that they could recognise two of the miscreants nothing tangible appears to have been accomplished so far. PRESS COMMENT LONDON, Nov. 23 The Sunday Express says the assassination of the Sirdar' cryeitallised a crisis which was long foreseen. Britishers have shown the world that it will be with extreme reluctance that they relinquish hope that Egyptian statesmanship would prevail against fanaticism If Zaghlul does not yield he will have thrown away tho last faint chance of prolonging the ill-starred experiment inaugurated in 1922. The British people know Egypt is a vital link between England and India and they are resolved to strengthen it and keep it strong. ' The Sunday News says Britain's record in Egypt, which has been lifted from abject poverty to comparative prosperity, is warrant enough for insistence upon a complete change in the spirit and temper of the Egyptian Government's policy.

% DELIVERY OF THE NOTE CAIRO, Nov. 22. Lord Allenby, accompanied by a regiment of cavalry, visited Zagnlul and handed him the British Note. Lord Allenby received the royal cavahy salute going and returning. > also on entering and leaving the Premier's office, the incident bringing many spectators to the scene. The Chamber of Deputies was temporarily held up owing to cavalry being drawn up outside Parliament buildings, which are opposite Zaghlul's onice. Bewildered spectators wondered what the cavalry's presence portented. The contents of tlie Note are not disclosed. / The Zaghlulist* press declares that there is good reason to believe the police will put their hand on the criminals. LABOUR PAPER'S CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT'S ACTION LONDON, Nov. 23. The Daily Herald in an editorial says: "Britain is acting towards Egypt in a precisely similar way to Austria's Note to Serbia in July 1914; but Britain is more fortunate than Austria. No big power stands behind Egypt as Russia did behind Servia. We may therefore pursue a policy of crushing a small nation without fearing armed opposition by a state of our size. Britain's ultimatum is the most severe blow so far struck at the League of Nation's authority. We have deliberately ignored Geneva aM followed the old method of an ultimatum backed up by bayonets and battleships." MOMENTOUS SITTING OF CHAMBER ' CAIRO, Nov. 23 At a momentous sitting of the Chamber, Zaghlul exhorted patience and the greatest prudence, because the slightest rashness might result in most terrible consequences. He then read the reply to the British note. This was received in silence. ' An Opposition speaker characterised the reply as ridiculous, and purely an acceptance of the wounds inflicted on the country. He declared that the Premier had betrayed the confidence placed fa him. Zaghlul, replying, said: "I have done my duty. I have not betrayed the confidence of my country. I am prepared to cede my place to anyone better qualified to see the country through its difficulties.". Zaghlulists rose in their seats and accorded the Premier an ovation. The Residency Secretary handed Zaghlul a reply from Lord Allenby within two hours.