BRITAIN AND EGYPT

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1927, Page 9

BRITAIN AND EGYPT

CRISIS REGARDING ARMY

THE SITUATION OMINOUS PUBLIC OPINION INFLAMES) By Tekgraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received May 30, 8.30 p.m. Cairo, May 30. Lord Lloyd has had a lengthy audience with King Fuad. It is understood he informed the King he had received the British Government’s approval of his (Lord Lloyd’s) views concerning the reorganisation of the Egyptian army, and he had sent an official note to the Prime Minister, Sarwat Pasha, thereon. Meanwhile, there is considerable tension in political circles which apprehend a serious crisis. As stated the Wafd, which controls the policy of Sarwat’s Cabinet, is determined to stand firm. The studied, scurrilous insolence of the speeches in the Chamber gives the debate the appearance of a deliberate attempt to vilify Great Britain in the eyes of the Fellahin, also to inflame public opinion in the hope of securing support for resistance to any steps which Great Britain may take to enforce her point of view. The foreign communities generally are ready to support any action tending to end activities which they recognise are likely to not only endanger British interests but seriously to affect their own position if allowed to continue. Local notables regard as a serious feature of an ominous situation the fact that Zaghlul occupied the Chair of the Chamber throughout the disgraceful proceedings without making any attempt to curb the immoderate language used. Doubtless, knowing a crisis in the Egyptian army is imminent, the z-aghluliste, who always stage manage debates beforehand, have made up their minds to arrange this anti-Britieh demonstration in order to strengthen their position in the country and with representative Egyptians outside politics. London, May 29. The Cairo correspondent of the Daily Mail says Lord Lloyd informed Sarwat Pasha that the question of the Sirdar’s powers never entered into the agreement regarding Egyptian independence. Britain insists that a high English o._*cer must continue to hold the post. The warships Royal Sovereign and Malaya have been suddenly ordered to leave Malta. The Daily Mail understands they have left for Egypt, in consequence of the advisablenees of a demonstration as a precaution against a possible recommencement of the murder campaign against the British in connection with the Parliamentary committee’s recommendation that the Sirdar be deprived of his powers.