GRAVE CRISIS IN EGYPT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 153, 24 March 1919, Page 5

GRAVE CRISIS IN EGYPT

GENERAL SPREAD OF NATIONALISM

RIOTS AND OUTRAGES

SEVEN BRITISH OFFICERS

MURDERED ALLENBY SENT OUT POST-HASTE By Telfcraph-Prese 'AseociftUon-ConyrlKUt (Eec. March 23, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 22. The nationalist movement in Egypt is almost general. The military authorities have suppressed outbreaks at Alexandria an-1 elsewhere. In many instances attacks have been made on railway, telegraph, ami telephone systems, railway stations and trains having been plundered. General AUenby has hurriedly left Pans foi , Cairo. The situation is regarded as grave, and tho garrison has been reinforced— Aus.-N.Z- Cable Aesn. ALLENBY GIVEOXTRAORDINARY POWERS MANDATE TOR SUPREME AUTHOR(Pec. March 24, 0.5 a.m.) London, March 21 Offieial.-In view of the grave situation in Egypt, and the High Commi* sioner's absonce, General Allonby Has been appointed Special High Commissioner for Egypt and the Sudan. Ho is directed to exercise supreme authority in all matters military and civil, take all measures ho considers necessary and expedient to restore law and order in those countries, and administer in all matters as niav lie required by the necessity ot maintaining the King's protectorate ovei r>ynt on a 6ecure and equable basis-— Aii's.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

HISTORY OF THE OUTBREAK

(Dec. March 24, 0.5 a.m.)

London, March 21. Following upon the deportation of four Egyptian agitators to Malta, on March J, two of whom were ex-Ministers, nots broke out «t Cairo on March U, much damnue and looting being done. lne disturbances soon spread to the provinces, all communications being cut, completely isolating Cairo by Marchl7, except for the wireless stations. Serious attacks were made on railway, stations ami trains, and British communities in s, ; me localities, resulting in terrible excesses notably the murder of seven British officers in a train at Mima. _ The Commander-in-Chief is taking active repressive measures, and all demonstrations have been forbidden. Ihe villages nearest any destroyed railway line will be burned. Punitive measures have already been taken in districts where the greatest excesses occurred. The train services have been partially reestablished to Port Said and Alexandria, but Upper Egypt is entirely cut off. The troops are distributed throughout the provinces. Airmen have done great service. Cairo is quiet, but strikes are general.—Renter.