Egypt

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 303, 21 December 1914, Page 5

Egypt

THE SULTAN OF EGYPT.

CLEARER DEFINITION OF BRITAIN'S POSITION.

Unitbu Tkkbb Association

London, December 19. Hussein has been decorated with tlie Grand Cross of the Bath. Great Britain has informed Hussein diat lie has been chosen. As a Prince if the Mehemet Ali family he was the nost worthy to occupy the new posi,ion as Sultan. Egypt’s foreign reladons henceforth would be conducted through Britain’s High Commissioner. A revision of capitulations would be postponed until the end of the year. The present clearer definition of Britain's position in Egypt would accelerate progress towards self-government. The Egyptians’ religious convictions would be scrupulously respected. In declaring Egypt frbe from any duty 01 obedience to usurpers’ political power from Constantinople, the British Government explains that it is animated uy no hostility towards the Caliphate. The past history of Egypt showed the loyalty of the Egyptian Mahomedans towards the Caliphate, independent of any political bonds between Egypt and Constantinople. The strengthening and progress of Mahommedan institutions in Egypt is a matter wherein the British Government takes the deepest .uterest, and in carrying out such reforms as may be necessary Hussein nay count on the Government’s sympathetic support. The Government conidently rely on the loyalty, good sense, and self-restraint of Egyptian subjects to facilitate the task of the commander of the forces entrusted with the maintenance of order and the prevention of rendering aid to the enemy.

Reuter’s correspondent at Cairo says the Union Jack was hoisted at the British agency and a salute of 101 guns* fired at Alexandria, Port Said, and Cairo. The Protectorate was corJially received.

THE SULTAN’S OPINION.

London, December 19,

‘Hussein, in the course of an interview with the Times correspondent, ,aid: “I have never been a pretendei dnce the suppression of the Arabs, being convinced that Egypt needed European direction,' and I am grateful to the British. My views are known to Lord Cromer, Sir John Gorst, and Lord Kitchener, Egypt has now become the centre of extensive cultivation, and its morale is well maintained.”

THE NEW PROTECTORATE HEARTILY WELCOMED.

London, December 19

Official.—France has recognised the British Protectorate of Egypt. Britain adheres to the Franco-Moorish treaty. .. . .

Reuter’s Romo correspondent says the protectorate is heartily welcomed in Italy, as auguring an increased prosperity and stability in Egypt, and implying greater advantages to Libya and Italy. The .King has sent a message to the Sultan of Egypt,* promising him unfailing support in safeguarding the integrity of Egypt.

Paris, December 19. The newspapers cordially approve of the protectorate.

THE ANNEXATION SURPRISED THE PEOPLE.

Sydney, December 20

Major Bean, cabling from Cairo, forwards details of the annexation of Egypt. He states that the. announcement was suppressed. Nobody, even the peasantry, knew that a change was impending. The majority realise that British rule will be infinitely preferable bo Turkish. The Khedive, who was on holiday in Europe at the beginning of the war, went to Constantinople, where he intrigued with the Turks. While there an Egyptian Nationalist attempted to murder him. The assailant was killed, but the Khedive escaped, though ho wa? a hit by several bullets. Later he definitely took the Turkish side, and expressed hostile' sentiments towards the British Government, which decided not to allow him to return to Egypt. The Khedive’s personal influence with -the Government has always' been hopelessly corrupt and his methods of extorting money by the sale of titles and taking money from magnates with whom he stayed on tour have lately been a growing scandal.

THE NEW SULTAN PROCLAIMED.

AUSTRALASIANS ON PARADE.

(Received 9.15 a.m.) Cairo, December 20

Sultan Hussein was proclaimed amid an elaborate ceremony, with an imposing parade of English, Australian, and Native troops. Aga Khan has arrived to assist in the accession ceremony. THE ACA KHAN’S MESSAGE. His Highness the Aga Khan, G.C.S.I. the spiritual head of the Khoja community of Mahomedans and President of the All-India Moslem League, has sent the following message to Moslems in India and his Majesty’s other dominions ; London, Nov. 2, 1914. With deep sorrow I find that the Turkish Government has joined hands with Germany, and, acting under German orders, is madly attempting to wage a most unprovoked war against such Mighty Sovereigns as the KingEmperor and the X s »r of Russia. This is ‘not the true and free, will of the Sultan, hut of German officers and

other non-Moslems who have forced him to do their kidding. r .

Germany and Austria have been no

disinterested friends of Islam, and while, one took Bosnia the other has long been plotting to become the feu/.erian of Asia Minor and Mesopotamia, including Kerbela Nejif and Bagdad. If Germany succeeds, which Heaven forbid; Turkey will become only a vassal of Germany, and the Kaiser’s resident will be the real ruler of Turkey and Avill control the Holy Cities. No Islamic interest was threatened jin this war, and our religion was not ,n peril. Nor was Turkey in peril, for the British and Russian Empires and the French Republic had offered to solemnly guarantee Turkey all her erritorics in complete independence if die had remained at peace. Turkey was the trustee of Islam, and the whole world was content to let her hold our Holy Cities in her keeping. Now that Turkey has so disastrously shown herself a too! in German hands, she has not only ruined herself hut has lost her position of trustee of Islam, ,\nd evil will overtake her.

Turkey has been persuaded to draw the sword in an unholy cause from which she could be but ruined whatever else happened, and she would lose her position as a great nation,, for such mighty Sovereigns as the KingEmperor and the Tsar can never he defeated.

Thousands of Moslems are fighting for their Sovereigns already, and all men must see that Turkey has not gone L o war for the cause of Islam or for defence of her independence. Thus our only duty as Moslems now is to remain loyal, faithful, and obedient to our temporal and secular allegiance.

AGA KHAN