EGYPT STIRRED.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18239, 25 November 1924, Page 9

EGYPT STIRRED.

REPLY TO BRITAIN. COMPENSATION PROMISED. FULL DEMANDS NOT MET. (BT CABLE —PHE93 ASSOCIATION—COrTEIOHT) (AUSTRALIAN AND K-Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) CAIRO, November 23. Tho British Note created a tremendous sensation. The Chamber held a prolonged sitting awaiting Zaghlul Pasha, who eventually made a statement to the effect that the Cabinet proposed to accept the demand for tho payment of £300,000 as compensation, not as an indemnity.

The Cabinet agreed to arrest and punish the criminals. The other demands were rejected. The Chamber endorsed these decisions and thereafter sat secretly, after which it passed a vote of confidence in Zaghlul Pasha. It is officially announced in London that tho Egyptian indemnity will be devoted to' benevolent objects in the Sudan, after compensation to the victims of tho outrage has been paid.

A Momentous Meeting. At a, momentous sitting of the Chamber Zaghlul Pasha exhorted members to show patience and the greatest prudence, because tho slightest rashness might result in the most terrible consequences. He then read Egypt's reply to the British Note. This was received in silence. An Opposition speaker characterised tho reply as ridiculous. He declared that tho Prime Minister had betrayed the confidence placed in him. Zaghlul, replying, said: "I have done my duty, and havo not betrayed tho confidence of the country. I am prepared to cede my place to anyone better qualified to see tho country through its difficulties.''

Zaghlul's supporters rose in their Boats and accorded the Prime Minister an ovation.

Tho Residency Secretary handed Zaghlul a reply from Lord Allenby within two hours.

Lord Allenby to-morrow hands a reward of £IOOO to the wounded policeman who pursued the criminals. Tho Government has placed the Egyptian Army at the disposal of Russell Pasha, Commandant of Police, if required. It is understood that the spirit of the police is very good.

It is stated that the Governor of Mansurad dealt sternly with the demonstrators to-day, flogging some, after which the demonstrations ceased.

Responsibility Denied. In reply to the British Note, the Government states that the favourable results already achieved give full confidence that the criminals will not escape justice. The Egyptian Foreign Minister handed the reply to the Residency in the- afternoon. It was read in Parliament in the evening. The Opposition declared that the reply was weak, indicating ultimate acceptance. The reply points out that the position of foreign officials is regulated by diplomatic agreement and cannot bo modified, without the consent ol ! Parliament. It maintains that Egypt has adopted the most liberal policy towards foreigners, compatible with the principle of independence. No observations have been received from other foreign Powers. The Note renews protestations of sorrow and horror at the execrable murder, but cannot admit that the Government is in any way responsible. It cannot agree that it was the natural result of a political campaign. Nevertheless, it agrees to the indemnity.

Lord Allenby's Rejoinder. CAIRO, November 23. Lord Allenby promptly replied: "In view of Egypt's refusal to meet requirements five and six of the Note, instructions are being sent to the Sudan Government to effect the withdrawal from the Sudan of all Egyptian officors, with Egyptian units, with specified changes resulting therefrom and the Sudan Government is at liberty to increase tho area of irrigation at Gezira to an unlimited figure. Your Excellency will learn in due course of the action being taken. In view of your refusal of requirement seven, regarding the protection of foreign interests, Britain requests the payment of the £500,000 indemnity before noon to-morrow.''

Demonstration of Might. It is stated that another alleged assailant of Sir Lee Stack was arrested last night. Lady Stack and her daughter are going to England to-day. The whole British garrison at Alexandria paraded in town, owing to yesterday's anti-British demojistration. Cairo is quiet, but the Egyptian Mounted Police are parading the streets in order to suppress any possible disturbance by striking students. There was a renewal of hostile student demonstrations at Alexandria this morning.

Two aeroplanes demonstrated at Tautah, where there is some restiveness, but tranquillity generally prevails.

PRESENTATION OF NOTE. ZAGHLUL ALLEGES SLIGHT. INTENTIONS ETTHE SUDAN. (AUSTBiLIi.iT AXD Jf.Z. CABLE ASSPCIATIOH-) (Received November 24th, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, November 24. Lady Drummond-Hay, the correspondent of the "Daily Express" at Cairo, who attended Parliament House, says Zaghlul Pasha appeared to be fatigued but calm. His preliminary speech was a moderate reading of the Egyptian reply, which provoked immense enthusiasm among tho delegates. Speaking at tho secret session, Zaghlul complained that Lord Allenby slighted him by unceremoniously entering his office and rapping out, "Do you understand English?" Zaghlul answered "No." "Never mind," replied Lord Allenby, who then read tho ultimatum in English, leaving Zaghlul to surmiso its purport until a copy in French was handed to him. Lord Allenbv then left.

The Cairo correspondent of the "Daily Chroniclo" says the terms of the ultimatum created ;i tremendous sensation. Something stiff was expected, but this" bombshell was infinitoly sterner than anybody anticipated. No one believed it possible tlia't Zaghlul would accept it. The British havo come to important decisions regarding the immediate strengthening of the British forces in Egypt, The "Daily Chronicle's" diplomatic correspondent says the garrison in the Sudan is about two thousand British, two thousand Egyptian, and eleven thousand Sudanese. When Egypt declared her independence in 1022, Great Britain notified the Powers that any interference in Egyptian affairs would be regarded' as an unfriendly act, so no one.is likely to take up the matter. If the question is raised, tho Council of the League of Nations will probably ask the Permanent Court of Justice to decide whether the British action comes under the category of internal jurisdiction.

Regarding two important demands in the British No'te, it is pointed out: (1) The retention of the British judicial financial advisers relates to three officials whose powers were encroached upon under the Zaghlul regime. (2) Unlimited irrigation in the Sudan, in which connexion it is recalled that an extensive scheme of irrigation in Gezira, for the purpose of cotton-grow-ing to assist the Sudan Government, was voluntarily curtailed to three hundred thousand feddans by Lord Allenby, in order to placate the Egyptians, who feared the damming of the Upper Nile would curtail their supplies.

An authoritative statement of the British viewpoint declares that nothing in the present Note will diminish tho Egyptian water supply.

ANOTHER DOCUMENT. MISTAKEN OPTIMISM. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, November 23. > Another peremptory Note has been sent to Cairo, and Field-Marshal Lord Allenby, High Commissioner, has been given power to act. The first battalion of the Buffs is proceeding to Egypt from Gibraltar on November 29th. An officially inspired statement issued to-night, in explaining Britain's demands, says the Government feels it has been too optimistic about Egypt's ability to govern herself. The present steps have been takon without revoking the declaration of Egypt's independence or the Sudan condominium agreement.

- NOT EXCESSIVE. THE PLEDGES REQUIRED. PRESS APPROVES STEPS TAKEN. LONDON, November 24. The "Daily Express," in an editorial, expresses the view that public opinion throughout the Empire supports the Government's uncompromising handling of the Egyptian crisis. At the present there is no place for counsels of sweet reasonableness. Assassination, incompetence to govern, and frenzy are not factors for discussion. The rejection of the British ultimatum can only mean the re-imposition of martial law. Britain's demands only amount to peace in the Sudan, and peace and security for all foreigners in Egypt. The journal regrets the amount fixed for tho indemnity, and adds: "The extension of Sudan irrigation might be represented as a blow to Egypt's very existence. The Government allayed such fears by an announcement that irrigation would only be extended provided Egypt's supply was maintained."

The "Sunday Express" says the assassination of the Sirdar crystallised a crisis which has long been foreseen. British people have shown the world that it would be with extreme reluctance they relinquish the hope that Egyptian statesmanship will prevail against fanaticism. If Zaghlul does not yield, lie will have thrown away the last faint chance of prolonging tho illstarred experiment inaugurated in 1922. British people know Egypt is a vital link between England and India, and tliey are resolved to strengthen it and to keep it strong. . _ Tho "Sunday News" says Britain s record in Egypt, which has been lifted from abject poverty to comparative prosperity, is warrant enough for insistence upon a complete change in the spirit and temper of the Egyptian Government's policy. The Note to Egypt was issued for publication sooner than was expected. The Sunday newspapers stress its sternness and the time limit. "The Observer" sayß it cannot bo said that either the penalty or precau-

tions are excessive, whether judged by diplomatic precedent or by practical necessities. The honour of the Empire certainly will not tolerate the murderous attempts on the lives of those who bear it 9 responsibilities overseas. The murder of tho Sirdar has precipitated certain measures which would havo had to be taken sooner or later, but which were delayed in expectance of a settlement in a friendly spirit. That hope has momentarily gone, and the British Government has decided to act accordingly.

The "Sunday Times" learns that the Cabinet met again last night, when Mr Baldwin was absent. Mr Austen Chamberlain presided. The meeting was held at the Foreign Office. The political correspondent of the Sunday Times" stresses that there is no intention on the part of Britain to take any step which would infringe tho liberties of tho Egyptian people, or to revoke the independence already gained, but tho Sudan is in a difforent category.

LABOUR PAPER'S CRITICISM DISLOYAL OUTBURST. (AUSTRALIAN AND K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATIOX.) LONDON, Novcmbor 23. The "Daily Herald," the Labour organ, in an editorial, says that Britain is acting towards Egypt in a precisely similar way to Austria's Note to Serbia in July, 191-1, but Britain is moro fortunate than Austria—no big power stands behind Egypt, as Russia did behind Serbia. ¥e may, therefore, pursue our policy of crushing small nations without fearing armed opposition by a State of our own size. Britain's' ultimatum is the most severe blow so far struck at tho Lcaguo of Nations' authority. We have deliberately ignored Geneva and followed the old mothod of an ultimatum, backed up by bayonets and battleships.

REFERENCE TO LEAGUE. A LABOUR RESOLUTION. UpSTBA&IAK AND X.Z. CABLE ABSOCIATIOH.) (Baceived November 24th, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 24. Tho South London Federation of tho Independent Labour Party passed a resolution in favour of the League of Nations immediately investigating and roporting on the Egyptian question; meanwhile "Wo protest against tho ultimatum as a grave menace to peace, and recommend the acceptance of the terms agreed to by the Egyptian Government as a basis # of settlement."

FRENCH POINT OF VIEW. NEED FOR CO-OPERATION. UUSTBALIAS AND N.Z. CABLE ABSOCIATIOE.) PARIS, November 23. All the newspapers recognise tho gravity of the Egyptian crisis. "Le Temps" says: "Even admitting that Britain's military movements are only meant to intimidate. Egypt, it must bo recognised that there are other .ways of doing things. The English way on this occasion is not the best way to facilitate a peaceful settlement. Britain's detailed demands seem t.o confirm tho impression that it is a question of an indirect, disguised return to the British dominion of Egypt, like that prior to tho abolition of the Protectorate. ''

The "Gaulois" foresees a general rising of Moslems, which will be bad for Prance and Britain, and possibly lead to an upheaval in Syria, Morocco, and all Africa. The newspaper urges Franco-British pourparlers, with a view to jbint action.

CUSTOMS OCCUPIED. (Stkkbt "Sun" Sekvicb.) (Received November 25th, 1.15 a.m.) LONDON", November 24. British troops arc occupying the Customs at Alexandria.