CABINET CRISIS IN EGYPT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19976, 19 June 1928, Page 8

CABINET CRISIS IN EGYPT.

The development of a Cabinet crisis in Egypt, accompanied ,by allegations of a plot, with British backing, to overthrow the Constitution, is quite in accordance with the predictions of clear-sighted commentators on the affairs of the country. As long ago as April, it was rumoured that a new party was in process of formation, to replace the present irreconcilables who refuse to settle with Britain those outstanding points which have disturbed relations since 1922 ; and, this having been done to give due attention to pressing domestic affairs so long neglected. The suggestion was discounted, because, at that time, the dispute with Britain over the Assemblies Law was developing. It was then predicted that if Nahas Pasha, Prime Minister and Wafd leader, was allowed to indulge in his gesture of defiance, it would be interpreted as a victory over Britain, and the Wafd would remain as firmly entrenched in power as under Zaghlul Pasha. If, on the contrary, Britain stood firm, and Nahas Pasha was made to withdraw the obnoxious legislation, there would be a chance of forming a new party among the reasonably-minded Egyptians, to oust the Wafd extremists and conduct the country's business by less impossible methods. It is already a matter of history that Britain did stand firm, the Assemblies Law, which threatened to give the forces of disorder and violence unlimited licence, was postponed in such circumstances that its return to Parliament is very unlikely. Now a Liberal member of the Nahas Cabinet has resigned, and the Wafd press talks of a plot to overthrow the Constitution, with Britain, of course, the villain behind the scenes. Translated from the conventional language of Egyptian controversy, this indicates clearly a movement to form a new political group capable of dealing sanely with the points that Britain and Egypt must settle by compromise—a task for which the Wafd has proved itself totally unfitted. It is indicated as a crisis, but if it succeeds it may result in freeing Egypt from the procession of crises that has been the bane of its public life ever since the war ended.