POLICY IN EGYPT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 116, 21 May 1946, Page 5

POLICY IN EGYPT

IT IS SUPPORTED BY “THE ECONOMIST” BRITISH WORD IN DANGER (Special Correwondant— N.Z.P.A.) Recd. 6.15 p.m. London, May 20. Suppori. tor the Government on the Egyptian policy is given by "The Economist." “Before the opposition proceeds further with its argument that Britain gave its whole case away before even beginning to negotiate, it would do well to ask itself two questions,” says that journal “Firstly, was there any elbow.roqjn hit bargaining? The answer is, ne. By maintaining in Egypt, for a year after the end of the war in Europe and for three years after the end of the war in Africa, li'ices far in excess of the level jointly and voluntarily agreed to by both parties in the treaty of 1936, the successive Governments of Mr. Churchill and Mr. Attlee have created in ah Egyptian minds a conviction that the British word could not be trusted, and, if given an inch, for the second time Britain would once again find some excuse to make it all. As a result, most AnglupMK Egyptians had begun to argue "that even the lease of a last,or bases, on the extremities of <eir deserts could not be tolerated. "The second question worth asking is what was the alternative to evacuation? What would have been the consequences of trying to bargain with a nation in this mood? The answer is a breakdown in the talks, necessitating a British decision to remain in the country, despite the opi.osiiion of its seventeen million inhabitants, and followed by a British military request for additional troops lor security purposes, and an Egyptian appeal to the United Nations. Such appeal would undoubtedly have received widespread support State members, among them not only’ Russia, but also the United State.'. The dividend that will accrue to Britain as the result of the Government’s wise gesture may be some time ' maturing. Until it does so, the Op ■ position will doubtless continue its negative criticism. It cannot offer positive counter-proposals, for there are none that would work.