THE RISING IN EGYPT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3398, 30 April 1919, Page 23

THE RISING IN EGYPT.

(By Cable.) CAIRO, April 15. The public services continue "paralysed, owing to the strike, -which is spreading. There are indications that the patience OJ the authorities is exhausted, and thai sterner measures will be taken. The flog" ging of some of the chief leaders of th« riots has been ordered.

4* LONDON, April 17. Though the situation in Egypt is outwardly quiet, further disorders are feared, and the Twenty-seventh Division froin, Dobrudja, has been sent to strengthen General Allenby. This enables him- to recommence the leave and demobilisation of the troops, particularly Australians and New Zealanders, who volunteered to stay when English women and children werd endangered & month ago. The ' Australians and New Zealanders behaved with splendid public spirit, realising the necessity for their retention.

An insurrection in Tura prison on th» 12th inst. resulted in 500 convicts breaking loose. The black warders fired, killing 12 and wounding 70. One hundred aro still free.

CAIRO, April 18. Some leaders of the riots have been court-martialled and sentenced to terms o! imprisonment varying from three to 15 years.

An unsatisfactory feature of the present situation in Egypt is the intimidation of Government servants, who are frightened from work. •

Several fatal cases of vitriol-throwing are reported.

_ Owing to vitriol outrages during the riots, .a military proclamation fixes the death penalty for anyone throwing vitriol or other corrosive acids, and 15 years' imprisonment for anyone found in possession of such a<:ids.

LONDON, April 22. General Allenby's reports are optimistic, but serious. He reiterates the request that the Council of Nations should recognise a British protectorate in Egypt, and announce a definite policy regarding Syria. General Allenby describes the whole of Asia Minor as dangerous, especially Anatolia and Syria, -where the Young Turks are actively inflaming the Moslems against Christians. A crack division has embarked in England for General Allenby's assistance. The British murdered in Egypt number many hundreds. One English colony was wiped out. The whole of the Light Horse now in Egypt (the 12th Regiment) have been sent to the Sudan. The men are greatly disappointed at this interruption to their repatriation, and feel strongly that they should be sent home as soon as ever relief is possible. NEW YORK, April 20. The New York World's correspondent interviewed Said Pasha and Zaghlel. Tliey said -the object of the deputation is to make known Egypt's desire for independence. The Egyptian Nationalist Government is not religious or anti-foreign or Pan-Arabic, and it did not desire con.f federation with neighbouring countries. CAIRO, April 25. _ General Allenby has issued an ultimatum that officials must resume or be dismissed. Those returning will , lose their pay during the strike. Persona obstructing Government work will be court-martialled. CAIRO, April 27. The result of General Allenby's proclamation is that a great majority of the Government employees have returned to work. America's recognition of the British protectorate over Egypt has had a sobering effect. It has brought home to the minds of extremists the futility of their exaggerated aspirations. A reconstruction of the Cabinet is probable, following on the resignation of Rushdi Pasha owing to ill-health. Rushdi Pasha formed a Cabinet during a critical period and helped the authorities to calm the turbulence. He withheld his resignation until order had been restored and Government servants had resumed work. ' The Extremists, who had been boasting of America's help, are astonished that President Wilson recognised the British protectorate.