STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8618, 9 May 1906, Page 1

STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

United Presa Association — By Electric Telegraph — Copyright. / LONDON, May 8. In the House of Commons Sir Edward Grey, in reply to Mr Balfour, reviewed eyente at T« bah and the Island of Faraon. He said that the Port© contended., firstly, that Akabah and the Sinai Peninsula were outside the territory denned by the Imperial Firman in 1892] secondly, that the Grand Vizier's telegram of April 8, 1892, only referred to the western side of the Peninsula; thirdly, thai the interpretation of the telegram concerned the Porte alone. Such demands, if admitted, would constitute a real danger to the freedom of the Suez Canal, th 6 liberties of Egypt and the Khedival dynasty. He em- , phasised Britain's patience and moderation. It was impossible to defer a settlement indefinitely, hence Britain^ pressing the original demand for delimitation. He said that a. note had been presented requesting a favourable reply within teisndayG: H=e' added/that^ it was important that the frontier should remain as it had existed, undisputed and undisturbed, .for many years previous to the British occupation. General cheers greeted the statement.