SAFETY OF EGYPT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18920, 23 January 1936, Page 13

SAFETY OF EGYPT

NEED OF BRITAIN'S AID NOT OVERLORDSHIP LONDON. Jan. 11. The Egyptian people feel that u treaty with Britain is within the realm of reality, and are looking hopefully to the present negotiations, in which the High Commissioner for Egypt, Sir Miles Lampson, is continuing Ins talks with leaders of the parties of the United Front, including the Wafd. Attention is being i'ocussed on the military clauses of the iiioU treaty in the light 01 the international situation. The 1930 draft provided for the maintenance of B<JQO British troops in the Sum Canal zone, and it is only now questioned whether such a number, in the event of a sudden attack, would be sufficient, with the Egyptian army, to defend the western frontiers. It is asked; "Would not the transport 01 British troops from the canal westwards take too long'.'" Another problem is attack by air. which would constitute a danger until Egypt had an adequate force of her own. The necessity for British aircraft to defend the western frontier is. therefore, felt to exist. The necessary increase of the Egyptian army effectives would •ost .05.U00.C00 and 'take a long time. Meanwhile the question is asked : "Is not an Anglo-Egyptian military alliance desirable for the protection of Egypt herself?" Britain wants the Egyptian leaders clearly to define their altitude to this matter. "CORRIDOR Dl VIDINO EM PI It E" The Daily Telegraph, in an editorial, considers that the negotiations are hound to be fruitful, provided, the Egyptian leaders show a practical regard lor the realities of the .situation. Describing Egypt's position as a corridor dividing the Empire, the article declares that the corridor must be kept open, and tinsafeguards on that head must be stronger than in 1930. ft is char that, in view of the situation on (lie Libyian border. Egyptian military security is insufficient. lv safeguarded by the maintenance Oi only 8000 British' troops in the canal /.one, and urges the Egyptians to regard the British Army not as an army of occupation, but as one of defence, not as a proof of alien, overlol'dship, but as a guarantee of Egyptian independence. Thus, it says, it rests mainly on Egyptians themselves whether they secure'a treaty which will give them all they reasonably can expect, in view of the country's chequered history. The correspondent of the Times a I Cairo reports that the prospect of a general election is fast reviving political intrigue and inter-party antagonism. Little is now heard of 'a provisional agreement to divide the seats between the Wafdists and non-Wafdists in the ratio of 75 per cent to 2h per cent. The non-Wafdists claim that under a fair election _ they would have a good chance of winning more than 25 per cent. Lord Lloyd has been in Egypt con-, fcrring unofficially with the lenders. His views are reported to be at variance with Sir Miles Lampson's. No further developments are expected until the definite reply on the treaty proposals is received by the Foreign Secretary (Mr E'den).