UNREST IN EGYPT

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17155, 26 May 1921, Page 7

UNREST IN EGYPT

CAUSE OF TOE RIOTS. NATIONALISTS AND THE CABINET (By Cabl*-Pre*a AstocUtlon-Copyijght.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 25th, 7.45 p.m.) CAIRO, May 23. A majority of the rioters are supporters of Zaghloul Pasha, the Nationalist leader. Their avowed aim ib to seize the police stations and overthrow the Government, thus challenging the Sultan's- rescript appointing Adly Veghen Pasha, head of the delegation to go to London. l<he trouble is that Zaghloul wanted to be leader of the delegation instead of Adly l'eghen Pasha, the present Premier. His tour of the Continent last year showed Zaghloul to be merely a demagogue, whereas Adly is an able statesman. , Zaghloul in a letter to the Sultan declares that Cabinet is responsible tor the disorders because it is acting contrary to the promises made to the nation. He demands a committee of enquiry. The demonstrates have now been warned that outbreaks will be strictly repressed by force of arms. Citizens are warned to. take shelter immediately they meet rioters, otherwise they may be accidentally shot when the police or the military open fire. Many dead are lying in the streets or Alexandria. Natives drenched two Europeans with petrol and set fire to them. The rioters came into conflict with Greeks. Several of the latter were killed. It is reported that 1500 Bedouins are advancing from Ramleh to participate in a general revolution, which only the presence of British troops prevents. CAIRO, May 24. With -the exception of some firing from balconies, which the authorities threatened to subdue, with machineguns, the rioting has been quelled. Laßb night was quiet, under the operation of the curfew order. It is officially announced that 86 natives and twelve Europeans, inoluding an Italian girl, were killed, find 191 of both parties wounded. The banks, the Bourse, and the shops have opened, but the trams are no't. running. Bands of roughs yesterday, molested and robbed foreigners. Spanish and Swedish judges were attacked outside the mixed courts,.but the native movement is more anti-Greek than antiEuropean generally.

Adly Yeghen Pasha, the Egyptian Preroier, issued a declaration of his pohoy on March.27th. He said: "The Government will be inspired by indications of national sentiments in determining the new relations between Great Britain and Egypt in order to reach an agreement leaving no doubt as to Egypt's independence. It will collaborate in tins matter with the Egyptian Delegation, of which Zaghloul Pasha is the President. Great Britain's declaration, whereby the negotiations are based on the abolition of the Protectorate, greatly facilitates the Government's task. The National Assembly in the last resort wm pronounce on suoh an agreement, lnis Assembly will funotion as a Constituent Assembly, and the Government will therefore elaborate a project of a. Constitution conforming with the principles of modern public rights. The. elections to the Assembly will, take place with the guarantee of full, liberty, thus assuring the representation of publio opinion. The Government is of the opinion that the present circumstances ]UBtify a return to a normal regime, bringing about the early removal of martial law and of the censorship. The Government realises the country's need for great reforms, but is careful to associate _ the nation therewith, and will abstain from radical transformations pending the establishment of the new Parliamentary system. The present economic . situation will not escape the most vigilant attention." Adly Yeghen is one of the few outstanding figures m Egyptian politics, and he has in the past occupied" man v posts, amonsc them the portfolio of Education in EushdyVMimstrv of 1918. Moreover, he has been in close touoh with both parties in the Zaghloul agitation.