The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1921. EGYPTIAN INDEPENDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 October 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1921. EGYPTIAN INDEPENDENCE.

The guarded statement made by the London Daily Chronicle, to the effect that it is expected Dgypt will shortly cease to be a British Protectorate and become an Allied Power, is doubtless based on fact, yet it can readily be conceived that the change depends entirely on whether the necessary terms and safeguards can be arranged to justify such an important change. Until Turkey was shorn of her power for evil it was absolutely necessary for Britain to be the dominant factor in Egypt, and it would seem that so long as the Turkish Nationalists are a menace to peace ans to British interests there is an element of risk that compels the greatest caution in dealing with the question of Egyptian independence. The matter: is one that concerns the Empire and not merely Britain, for Egypt, and its great trade artery—the Suez Canal—are of extreme importance, as was demonstrated in the / late war, when, single-handed, the British Empire, while its main forces were engaged in France, destroyed Turkey’s fighting strength and inflicted on her the most signal punishment in Palestine for her treacherous conduct in 1914. Since the close of the war there have been troubles of a more or less serious nature in Egypt, and a persistent demand for independence. To the latter, Britain has been sympathetic, yet mindful of the vital need for proper safeguards, as well as practical proof that the Egyptians were in a position to provide a sufficiently strong and friendly Government that would act in cordial accord with British requirements and the well-being of the Empire. If Egypt’s claim to once more become a nation free from outside control is based on her long history and ancient greatness there are cogent reasons why, in some measure, the wounds of conquest and vassalage should be healed, yet so closely are Egypt and India identified, and so important is the Suez Canal to the British Empire that it is obvious the problem is not easy of solution. Though it will tax British statesmanship severely to find a way for satisfying Egyptian aspirations, it may be expected that every effort will be made to overcome the manifest difficulties and to evolve a policy that will be acceptable. The duty of protectorship which Britain has been exercising for some time past has been a matter of necessity, though al ways , of a delicate and uncongenial nature. There can be no doubt that, if satisfactory arrangements can be made, Britain would infinitely prefer to get rid df her responsibility, though whether the Egyptians will benefit or the reverse by losing the guiding hand is another matter. Now that the principle of self-deter-mination is generally accepted, Egypt may claim this right—in fact has claimed it vigorously and insistently for some time past. It may be thought that if Egypt is to be a self-governed and separate nation, then India should be allowed the same privilege. That question opens up endless argument, though the cases are by no means parallel, for India is an Empire over which the Sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland holds sway, while Egypt is to all intents a foreign country. India, in due course, will have a full measure of self-gov-ernment conjointly with Britain, loyally to the Throne being the one immutable basis of- government. All that is required of Egypt is that she will be a faithful ally, and as a guarantee of fidelity, as well as for her own safety, a British garrison will remain there. Apparently the main principles on which Egyptian independence can be granted have been agreed upon, and all that remains to be done is to settle the details of the terms. This may take some time, yet it is satisfactory to know that negotiations have proceeded so far. It would certainly be a great relief to the British Government to be freed from the unpleasant task of controlling a people like the Egyptians whose memory of the former glory of their country naturally makes them resent foreign rule, although after the experience they had under Turkish domination they ought to have re- j garded Britain’s Protectorate as a;

great blessing. Such, however, is not human nature, more especially in the East. It is to be hoped that the negotiations will be brought to a satisfactory conclusion, resulting in the pacification of Egypt, and her entry upon a new era of prosperity and a firm alliance and friendship with Britain.