THE MIDDLE EAST

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21200, 24 August 1940, Page 7

THE MIDDLE EAST

BRITISH CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE ITALIANS DETERMINATION OF EGYPT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrlfbt) LONDON, August 23 According to a despatch from Cairo, Lieutenant-General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander -in-Chlef of the British forces in the Middle East, has returned to Cairo from a secret visit to London, where he had an important conference with the Supreme War Council, at which it is believed final decisions were taken for a forthcoming campaign against the Italians. General Wavell, in a broadcast, said: "We are at the crisis of the war; perhaps the turning point for victory. Make no mistake, we have a long and hard road still to tread and may sustain further grievous shocks, but we shall win the last battle.” He said the Middle East had a great part to play in the final victory. Receiving war correspondents before his broadcast, General Wavell hinted that encouraging news “could be expected any day now.” A definite declaration was made by the Prime Minister of Egypt, Hasan Saby Pasha, after the secret session of the Chamber, that “Egypt will declare war against Italy if Italian troops invade Egypt.” The press warmly welcomes the statement, and says Egypt is a peaceful country, but is bound to resist aggression, not only for self-preser-vation, but for the preservation of her honour in view of the treaty between Britain and Egypt. A high Egyptian authority states that the army has reached the highest peak of efficiency and is capable, it called upon, to back up the British troops with man-power and the latest weapons, including well-trained officers and men. Britain and Egypt, he said, would be united by mingling blood in the common cause.