THE SUDAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19049, 30 June 1924, Page 4

THE SUDAN

EGYPT’S COVETOUS EYES. CONSEQUENCES DISCUSSED, Some time ago, Egypt was granted its independence, and Zaghlul Pasha, and his supporters, not being satisfied with the liberal concessions advanced to them, are casting covetous eyes on the control of the Sudan territory. However, there will no doubt be strong opposition to their desires, and many Britishers arc averse to abandoning the exceptionally fine work accomplished in this territory of vast potentialities, while the Sudanese themselves appear to be quite content Io continue under their present Government. During the week-end a 44 Chronicle” representative took advantage of the presence in Wanganui of Mr. J. Priestley, Dominion secretary of the Sudan United Mission, to question him as lo the advantages, or otherwise, of Egypt gaining control of Sudan. At the outset Mr. Priestley said that now that Egypt had secured its independence, it was claiming the right to govern Sudan. At the coronation of King Fuad, a few months ago, everybody in the streets claimed that they must have Sudan, and Zaghlul Pasha, in his opening address to Parliament, suggested that Egypt should discuss with Britain the question of governing the territory. Referring to the opposition to the movement, he said that when Lord Allenby, the Sirdar, went up the Nile, he was met by a number of Sudanese chiefs, who offered him their spears in token of their willing ness to resist any attempt by Egypt t regain control of Sudan. 4 4 The S daa esc will never submit to control by th Egyptians again, and in my opinion i would bo disastrous if they were grant cd it for they would exploit the terri tory. Sudan is a country of great pos sibilities in regard to the productiol of grain and cotton, and if Egypt wer< to again control it, they would exploit the people beyond measure,” he re marked. Speaking of the churches aspect of the question, he said that it Zaghlul Pasha and his supporters gained Uieir objective, they would strive to upset tho good work already accomplished by the missionaries, ami endeavour to make the people Moham medans again.