LORD CROMER ON EGYPT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13455, 6 April 1907, Page 5

LORD CROMER ON EGYPT.

THE • PAX-ISLAM IBM MOVE-

ME XT.

DANGER OF PARLIAMENTARY

INSTITUTIONS

By Tele?raj)h.—l're*« Association Copyright.

LONDON*, .April !, The British Agent in Egypt (Lord Cromer), in his annual report, describes pan-Islamism as a "prominent partner '' of the so-called nationalism movement. He contends that all the nations that have political interests in the East should wateh th" Egyptian Government carefully. The adoption of the Egyptian Nationalists' suggestion for the creation of Parliamentary institutions which would control the finances would revive, the worst | abuses of the old regime and end in bankruptcy. He confidently predicts the ultimate establishment of a useful international Legislative Council on which all the inhabitants, irrespective of race and religion, would be represented. Lord Cromer quotes a letter he sent to the British Chamber of Commerce in Egypt officially dispelling any doubt among the public in Egypt regarding the continuity of Britain's policy in Egypt or the perI manence of her occupation of the J country. Lite pun-Islamism movement was very actively pushed throughout Northern Afri* 1. and India lust year. It was organised from Constantinople, and created great tineasiness among nations like (Jreat Britain am. Fiance, that have many Muhoimnedon subjects. 'Hi., promoters of the movement followed a policy of creating trouble bv attacks on unbelievers, Tim Turkish trespass in the Sinai Peninsula, with the I accompanying unrest in Egypt, was part | of the programme. 1 hen there followed j the Denshawai outrage in Egypt, in which j ■' party of British ollicers were, attacked, | and one killed. At the same time the j Egyptian newspapers openly attacked Brij tish rule. The sending of the British fleet, to the Dardanelles and the hanging of lour of the men who took part in the murI dei of the British officer checked the j movement. Reporting on these events last j year Lord Cromer said that one of the | causes of the unrest was the failure of jusj ice in the reformed Courts to reach persons j guilty of crime. Since Britain had con- , trolled the affairs of Egypt it. had been required that proof of guilt should precede conviction and sentence, and as tins proof was often lacking, criminals escaped punishment. .Justice thus had been brought into contempt and disorderly elements in the population encouraged, 'lie described the present as a transition stage, and advised the continuance of a policy of reform without too eagerly adopting Western methods. Ihe Khedive has been suspected ol sympathising with the nationalist movei men I.