END OF MILITARY CONTROL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20509, 29 August 1936, Page 17

END OF MILITARY CONTROL

ANGLO - EGYPTIAN TREATY FRIENDLY ALLIANCE CONCLUDES SUCCESS OF GIVE-AND-TAKE POLICY British Official Wireless (Received August 28, 6.30 p.m.) RUGBY, August 27. The text of the treaty of alliance between Britain and Egypt is published as a White Paper. The treaty comprises sixteen articles accompanied by interpretations by notes exchanged regarding several matters, and by a separate convention relating to the immunities and privileges to be enjoyed by the British forces" in Egypt. Changes in Military Control The Treaty terminates the military occupation of Egypt by British forces, and establishes an alliance between the two countries. It continues for a period of twenty years, after which, if either party so requests, the parties will negotiate with a view to revising the terms by agreement, in the light of the then existing circumstances. Negotiation for revising may, if both parties wish, be entered into at any time after ten years. Any revision must provide for a continuation of the alliance in accordance with the principles contained in the present Treaty defining, the scope of the alliance, as follows: Obligations of the Treaty “Neither party shall adopt an attitude or conclude a treaty, inconsistent with the alliance. They will consult each other with a view to the peaceful settlement of any dispute with a third State threatening the risk of a rupture with that State. 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. It is provided in advance, that the form of Egypt’s assistance be as follows: In the event of war, the imminent menace of war, or apprehended international emergency, Egypt will accord all facilities in its power to the United Kingdom. These facilities and this assistance to include: (1) Egyptian ports, aerodromes, means of communication, and all necessary administrative and legislative measures, including the establishment of martial law and an effective censorship. Among these facilities will be included facilities for sending British forces or reinforcements. Protection of Suez Canal Regarding the protection of the Suez Canal, the Treaty states that whilst the Canal is an integral part of Egypt, it is a universal means of communication between different parts of the British Empire. With a view to ensuring, in collaboration with the Egyptian forces, the defence of the Canal, the United Kingdom is authorised by Egypt to maintain in the Canal zone forces not exceeding 10,000 land forces and an Air Force not exceeding 400 pilots, until such time as the two parties agree that the Egyptian Army is capable of ensuring, by its own resources, the proper and entire security of navigation in the Canal. These numbers may be increased, in the event of war menace or apprehended international emergency. At the end of the period of the Treaty the question of whether the Egyptian Army has become capable to do this, may, if the parties can not agree, be submitted to the Council of the League of Nations for decision, in accordance with the provisions of the Covenant now in force, or to some other person or body agreed upon by the parties.

British Defence of the Canal “The Egyptian Government will build in the Canal zone additional barracks required for the British troops, up to a number indicated above, with full amenities and an emergency water supply, according to the requirements of the British Govednment and will construct roads, the most important of which are those across the delta from the Canal zone to Alexandria, and that from the Canal zone to Cairo. They will also improve the railway facilities in the Canal zone. When this work has been carried out to the satisfaction oi both parties the British forces in Egypt, other than those already stationed on the Canal will be withdrawn to the Canal zone. ' T 'his applies to the forces in Cairo, including Abassia and Hclmia, in Heliopolis, Helouan and Aboukir, but not to the forces in Alexandria which will remain in their presen position for a period not exceeding eight years, which is the time considered Becessary for the final completion of the new barracks accommodation in the Canal zone, and for the improvement of the various roads and railway facilities. Strategic Road and Air Provisions “There is also provision for three other roads to be built as soon as possible. The British Air Forces are to be permitted to fly wherever they consider it necessary for the purposes of training, reciprocal treatment being accorded the Egyptian Air Forces in grounds and seaplane anchorages are to be provided for the British Air Forces in Egyptian territory and waters, and additional ones are to be furnished if the British authorities consider such necessary for the army requirements. Mutual Military Obligations “WhHe the British personnel at present with the Egyptian Army will be withdrawn the Treaty provides that the Egyptian Government, in the interests of the alliance, will avail themselves of the advice of the British military mission, in order to perfect the training of the Egyptian Army and Air Force. The British Government will undertake to provide appropriate training in the Um ted Kingdom for such personnel of the Egyptian forces as the Egyptian Government may wish to send. The armaments and equipment

of Egyptian forces will not differ in type from those of the British forces. Control of the Sudan The Sudan clauses of the Treaty provide that the administration of the Sudan will continue to be that resulting from the agreements in 1899. The parties concerned are to conclude new conventions regarding the Sudan in future, and the question of sovereignty in the Sudan will not be prejudiced by the Treaty. Rights of Foreigners The security of Foreigners and the position of foreign officials and capitulations form the subject of the concluding articles of the Treaty. While his Majesty’s Government recognises that the responsibility for lives and property of foreigners in Egypt devolves exclusively upon the Egyptian Government, the Egyptian Government undertake that they will ensure the fulfilment of their obligations in this respect. A European Bureaux of the Public Security Department will disappear on ratification but for a further five years the European element will be retained in the Egyptian city police, which will remain for the same period, under the command of British officers.

The Treaty shows that his Majesty’s Government recognises the capitula*tory regime is no longer in accord with the times and the present state of Egypt, and agrees therefore to support Egypt in an immediate approach td other powers with capitulatory rights, with a view to agreements on the following points: (1) The disappearance of the existing restrictions on Egyptian sovereignty in the matter of the application of Egyptian legislation, including financial legislation to foreigners; (2) a transitional regime for a reasonable and not unduly prolonged period is to be fixed by agreement, during which mixed tribunals will remain and exercise, besides their present judicial jurisdiction of the Consul Courts. At the end of this period the Egyptian Government will be free to dispense with the mixed tribunals. “The Egyptian Government undertakes that all legislation made applicable to foreigners will not be inconsistent with the principles of modem legislation or discriminate against foreigners. Diplomatic Relations “The Treaty also pi ovides that the two parties shall each be represented in the capital of the other by Ambassadors. Egypt will apply for membership of the League of Nations and her application will be supported by the British Government. It is stated that the rights and obligations of both parties under the Covenant of the League of Nations or the Pact of Paris will not be prejudiced by the Treaty, and any difference regarding the application or interpretation of its provisions, which cannot be settled by direct negotiation, will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Covenant of the League of Nations.