TREATY ALLIANCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19106, 29 August 1936, Page 5

TREATY ALLIANCE

BRITAIN AND EGYPT AID IN TIME OF WAR (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Aug. 27. The text of the treaty of alliance between Great Britain ancj Egypt is published as a White Paper. The treaty terminates the military occupation of . Egypt by the British forces, and establishes an alliance between the two countries. It continues for 20 years, after which the parties will negotiate with a view to revising its terms, but any revision must provide for a continuation of the alliance in accordance with the principles contained in the present treaty. Neither party will adopt an attitude or conclude any treaty inconsistent with the alliance, and in the event of either party being engaged in war, the other will come to its aid as an ally, subject to its obligations under the covenant of _ the League of Nations or the Pact of Paris. With a view to ensuring the defence of the Suez Canal, the United Kingdom is authorised to maintain in the canal zone land forces not exceeding 10,000 men and 'air forces not exceedig 400 pilots, until such time as the parties agree that the Egyptian army is capable of ensuring security of navigation in the canal. PROTECTION OF CANAL The Egyptian Government will build in the canal zone additional barracks required for British troops, and will construct roads and improve railway facilities in the canal zone. When this work is carried out to the satisfaction of both parties, the British forces in Egypt other than those already stationed on the canal will be withdrawn to the canal zone. Adequate landing grounds and seaplane anchorages will be provided for British air forces in Egyptian territory and waters. The Egyptian in the interests of the alliance, will avail itself of the advice of a British military mission, in order to perfect the training of the Egyptian army and air force. The Sudan clauses provide that the administration of the Sudan will continue to be that resulting from the agreement of 1899. The treaty provides that the two parties will each be represented in the capital of the other bv an ambassador, and Egypt will apply for membership of the League of Nations, with the support of the British Government. COMMON INTERESTS ANSWER TO CRITICS LONDON PRESS OPINION (Reed. Aug. 29, 11 a.m.) ; " LONDON, Aug. 88. The Times commends the AngloEgyptian agreement, and says: “Critics who have been denouncing the alleged surrender of- British .Imperial interests can scarcely maintain their attitude now that the text is available. “The conversion of the uneasy, unequal, and uncertain association of the last 18 years into a friendly alliance between two equally independent and sovereign States, is a diplomatic success, on which both Governments are to be warmly congratulated.” The editorial stresses that the conquest of Abyssinia, and common interests and dangers have assisted the nuegotiators. The importance of the agreement cannot be exaggerated, it says.

A message from Cairo states that crowds cheered members of the Royal Air Force and shouted: “Long live the British and Egyptian friendship.” Everywhere there was unprecedented warmth of feeling towards Britain.