The Star. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1920. THE TROUBLE IN EGYPT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19878, 20 February 1920, Page 4

The Star. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1920. THE TROUBLE IN EGYPT.

It is rather a shock to the complacency of the British nation that in four parts of the Empire there arc strong movements in support of severance. Ireland, through the Sinn Fein, is demanding a republic ;■ Stiuth Africa, spurred on by General ITortr.og, is agitating for independence; and Egypt and India, where Britain is supreme, are disturbed by agitations which are inspired by anti-British feeling. It cannot, he said that tho people affected are unanimously and whole-heartedly opposed to their connection with the Empire, but it is a fact that the strivings after greater national and political freedom hare developed into schemes of impressive dimensions. Not the least important of the troubles which British statesmen have on their bands is that in Egypt, when; murmurs of discontent have swelled into a shout for independence. Tho British Press has been devoting a considerable amount of space to Egyptian affairs, and it is can* didly admitted that thoro is a case for reform at least. Prior to the wav the Sultan of Turkey was theoretically suzerain of Egypt, but as the monarch of an enemy country he could not retain that distinction, and Britain in 1914 proclaimed a protectorate- It is recognised that the present troubles have arisen out of tho benefits which British rule brought to the Egyptians, Egypt expanded and her needs grow. There had been practically no education under the Turk. The British encouraged education, and out of education there sprang n mass of doctors, lawyers, civil servants and students •who feel themselves equal to anyone and for whom literally there are not enough places to go round. Rnshdy Pasha, Premier in 1914 at the time of the proclamation of the protectorate, shared a feeling with many British officials that the Egyptian State had outgrown its political machine. He looked forward to a period when tho British advisors would really bo advisers, and there would bo some form of ministry responsible to Parliament. He intended to visit Great Britain and win adherence to some scheme of the kind. The war extinguished such projects for long. The Egyptian services were robbed of irreplaceable men who went to the Eastern fronts or to Franco. Inspectors of provinces were summoned to Cairo for important centralising war duties. Then great numbers of labourers wore needed for Palestine and tho Syrian front, mid Egypt was called on to supply them. This work was left in the hands of native officials, especially of omdelis—village mayors. Many matters of administration were left in native hands, and numerous irregularities took place through the corruption of these officials. Popular irritation grow at the petty exactions practised, and the British became unpopular through the abuses which were perpetrated by the Egyptians- The prosperity of the country through the enormous war expenditure allayed the irritation to some extent, but the abuses hare been remembered since by the agitators. With the end of tno war Rushdy Pasha revived his plan to obtain a new Constitution. but this was defeated by private ambitioh and jealousy. One political party alleged that Rushdy was the tool of the British and that he was sacrificing his countrymen for his ambition. 1 lie head of this party came to bo Zaghlul Pasha, who had been Rushdy s -Minister and had spoken affectionately of him. But when he had risen to the rank of Minister, Zaghlul saw tho way of his ambition closed. Circumstances favoured him, and every act of the Government was translated into a fresh instance of injustice, oppression and robbery. Tiio Egyptian Nationalists demanded “ selfdetermination, >' and the flames of discontent were fanned into open rebehlion, which, was only crushed after bloodshed. Rushdy became unpopular and resigned, and Zaglilul, whose prestige had increased, was put out of the way by the rough and ready expedient ot deportation. Tho British Government made diplomatic attempts to rotnewe tho situation, first by sending out tho Milner Commission to inquire into tho system of government, and then by appointing Lord Allcnby to the position of High Commissioner. There is reason to hope that the Milner Commission, which survived ail attempted boycott, will indicate a. solution to Egyptian problems which will ensure the maximum benefit to the people of the country.