BRITAIN AND EGYPT

Evening Star, Issue 19804, 1 March 1928, Page 5

BRITAIN AND EGYPT

TERMS OF PROPOSED TREATY ' ADMITTANCE TO LEAGUE OF NATIONS I'rew Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. CAIRO, February 29. (Received March 1, at 8.50 a.m.) The treaty provides for Egypt’s immediate admittance to the League of Nations. Egypt undertakes not to conclude third-party treaties without Britain’s approval. BRITISH OFFICIAL VIEW. COM PLETE INDEPENDENCE IMPOSSIBLE. LONDON, , February 29. ■ (Received March 1, at 8.35 a.m.) Native newspapers in Cairo state that the following are the chief points in the proposed new Anglo-Egyptian Treaty:—British troops to continue to be stationed in the Canal zone; aerodromes to remain in British . hands; Egypt’s foreign affairs to continue to be conducted under British supervision: the Sudan condominium continues under the Anglo-Egyptian Governments, pending a new special treaty. The Foreign Office declines to corroborate or deny the above points, and states that the papers will be laid before Parliament at the earliest possible moment, and should satisfy everyone. Britain lias made the fullest concession to the Egyptian Ministers, who are courageous enough to tell the people that the extremists’ theories of complete independence are a mere impractical dream, in view of Egypt’s geographical situation, which .is astride one of the world’s main sea routes. The official view in London is that if Britain left Egypt altogether some other Power would eventually take her place. It is learned that the dominions have been kept in the closest touch with the negotiations, and that they are incomplete agreement with Britain’s policy as to their most vital concern—namely, the defence of the canal. CAIRO PAPER’S COMMENT. MILITARY OCCUPATION FOR TEN YEARS. CAIRO, February 29. (Received March 1, at 8.35 a.m.) The newspaper ‘ Alahram Kilbeister,’ in what is regarded as approximately a correct forecast, says that the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty will be offensive and defensive. Britain will maintain her military occupation for ten years, after which the question of future occupation will be submitted to the League of Nations. If a mutual understanding is not reached Britain guarantees Egypt’s water supply from the Sudan, and agrees to the suppression of capitulations under which foreign Governments enjoy wide powers of jurisdiction over their own nationals, giving Egypt a free hand to tax Europeans, also the suppression of Consular Courts. The Egyptian army will be organised on British linos, with the Egyptian Sirdar as head. Egypt will be granted loans from Britain in the event of war, and all assistance within Egvptian territory.—Sydney ‘ Sun ’ Cable.

FORECASTS NOT OFFICIAL. (British Official News.) Pres* Association— By Wireless —Copyright RUGBY, February 29. (Received March 1, at noon.) lb is understood that the Egyptian Prime Minister (Sarwat Pasha) has now laid before his Cabinet the results of his conversations in London with Sir Austen Chamberlain. The purpose of these conversations was to substitute for the unilateral declaration of 1922, which now governs the relations of the two countries, a treaty of alliance between Great Britain and Egypt. The Egyptian Press contains inaccurate and misleading forecasts of the draft treaty, which should only be accepted with the utmost reserve, pending the laying of the papers relating to the conversations, which Sir Austen Chamberlain has promised to Parliament at tbe earliest possible moment.