EGYPT AND BRITAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22333, 3 February 1936, Page 9

EGYPT AND BRITAIN

TREATY NEGOTIATIONS BETTER FEELING DEVELOPS LONDON. Jan. 31 The Cairo correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says Egypt will begin treaty negotiations with Britain immediately. The new Prime Minister, Ali Maher Pasha, states that none of the party leaders will take part in the pending elections, their seats being assured to them. The object is to leave them free to concentrate on the treaty negotiations. Everything possible is being done to create a favourable atmosphere for the forthcoming talks in London, and every effort is being made to expedite their opening. Nahas Pasha, who was appointed head of the treaty delegation, said lie welcomed the opportunity of renewing the negotiations which were almost concluded with the late Mr. Arthur Henderson. He was sure the result would be a settlement which would place the relations between Egypt and Britain on a solid footing of mutual friendship and understanding. " Egyptian nationalism," added Nahas, "is not anti-British, as is alleged in some quarters, and an alliance would solve many international difficulties confronting us and react in a salutary way, not only in Egypt but throughout the East." The correspondent points out that this frank and friendly statement of the Wafd attitude is a welcome prelude to the negotiations. If the minority of the negotiators are animated by the same spirit the difficulties arising from the previous negotiations should be overcome. Tension has almost disappeared in Cairo, where the quiet streets no longer bear a martial appearance. It is expected that the negotiations will be opened on February 15. The Prime Minister, in a letter to King Fuad, emphasises the importance of maintaining national unity among the parties, however far they are from agreeing on the allocation of seats in the new Parliament. The Wafd has gained an initial victory in securing a majority of representatives on the treaty delegation, which is satisfactory from the British point of view, because if the Government is ablo to agree tho Wafd and other parties would bo bound to fall into line.