THE EGYPTIAN RISING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 22

THE EGYPTIAN RISING.

(By Cable.) LONDON, May 15. Lord Curzon, Lord President of the Council, speaking in the House of Lords, said that evidence existed that the enemy instigated and had long prepared the Egyptian disturbances. The Government was sending a special mission under Lord Milner to inquire re the disorders, and report on the best form of a constitutional Government for Egypt, under a British protectorate. Mr Cecil Harmsworth, Foreign Undersecretary, replying in the House of Commons to suggestions that the distrust of the Egyptians was due to the disproportionate numbers of Englishmen employed in the Government offices, also to the failure to establish an Egyptian Council, similar to the Indian Council, said that the outbreaks were due to several causes. Political ferment was world-wide, owing to the war, and it had affected Egypt. He admitted that there was a certain amount of mishandling of native interests by inexperienced officers, but the outbreak had surprised the Egyptian Government. They had every reason to bo proud of British rule, under which Egypt had enjoyed a remarkable prosperity. He paid a tribute to Lord Cromer's and Lord Kitchener's work in Egypt. They were both benevolent autocrats who carried on government largely by their personality and prestige. We must be careful whom we choose to succeed them. Egypt had stood by the Empire during the war. Semi-official: Although small demonstrations continue in Cairo, the extremists are losing their influence. The riots have resulted in great damage. Twenty-seven British soldiers, four British civilians, and nine Indian soldiers were killed, while 70 British and 40 Indian soldiers were wounded. A considerable number of Armenians and Greeks were killed. Nearly 1000 Egyptians were killed in suppressing the rebellion. The position is now satisfactory. May 20. The police raided a room in a London hotel during the Egyptian Association's Committee meeting, and found 14 young Egyptians, mostly medical students. Documents were seized, but no arrests were made. The association has been sending literature to- members of Parliament, charging the British troops in Egypt with misconduct towards the natives.