Kitchener in Egypt.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 21, 22 May 1912, Page 37

Kitchener in Egypt.

A remarkable unsigned article in the “Fortnightly,” dealing with Lord Kitchener’s work as British Agent in Egypt, is evidently well informed by reason of the detailed facts which it exhibits concerning the Kitchener administration. Consequently the speculations ami the inferences drawn by the contributor must also claim interest. They are startling. The writer shows that Lord Kitchener went to Cairo as British Agent on September 29, ami that on the following day Italy sent the ultimatum concerning Tripoli to Turkey. He suggests that the British Government, foreseeing that if Italy did not grab Tripoli, Germany would do so, determined to assist Italy passively by barring the advance of Turkish troops through Egypt to the seat of war. So they sent Lord Kitchener to Egypt, as he was the only man possessing sufficient prestige and force of character to keep the Egyptians quiet while their Musselman co-religion-ists were l>eing attacked by Italy. The price of this British assistance to Italy was to be the defection of Italy from the Triple Alliance, and her active sup-

port to England ami France in the event of their being attacked by Germany. The contributor argues that the peace of Europe is preserved at present owing to the fact that Germany ami Austria are effectively hemmed in liet ween England in the north. France in the west, Italy in the south, and Russia in the east. Many enterprising examples are <|iioted of Lord Kitchener’s methods, which have been entirely successful in reducing the most querulous Egyptian nationalists to amiable silem-e.