EGYPT’S FREEDOM

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1921, Page 1

EGYPT’S FREEDOM

MILNER COMMISSION REPORT

URGES SELF-GOVERNMENT,

LONDON, Feb. 18. Tlie report oi Lord Milner’s Mission to Egypt has been issued. It states that when the mission arrived in Egypt they found that the people everywhere were determined to have their complete independence. The enunciation of President Wilson’s fourteen Points aroused widespread expectations in Egypt, and the promise of self-determination to other Eastern peoples has added to the discontent with the present rule. A large number of experienced British officials in Egypt bad been lost to the civic service through the war. They had been replaced by new men, who knew little of the traditional system, whereby, in Lord Cromer’s days, British control was maintained without wounding the susceptibilities of tlu* people. The administration in Egypt during the war bad essentially entailed a certain subordination of tlie Egyptians to British interests. It necessitated the employment of “rough and ready” 'methods. These were likely to lie resented liy the people, whose sympathies were not actively engaged on the British side. , Martial law, says the report, had become necessary. The administration was carried on in the teeth of universal opposition. 'The word “Protector” had become a symbol of servitude.

“Argument on this point,” says the report, “was wholly useless. It hecaine evident that unless we got on new ground, a settlement would be impossible. Our commission lias-form-ed the opinion (lint the fulfilment of Britain's promise of self-government to Egypt cannot he postponed. “The spirit of Egyptian nationalisation cannot he extinguished, hut there ■lie, at the same time, some formidable difficulties in the way of any sudden or complete transfer of all the powers of government that are essential lo the British interests, as well as (o the safety of a large number of foreign rseidents, which must, be maintained. It is also desirable that an independent Egypt shall not pursue a foreign policy hostile to that of the

Hritish Empire. “The capitulation, however, lias also imposed crippling rest fictions. Wit hout their removal no Keyptian (lovernmoot Mould enjoy null indopendenee. The mixed trihimals must he reorganised. Therefore, any treaLv between I- til ain and Egypt should give the former a right to intervene in Egypt's legislation its affecting the foreigners and those who are now protected by the capitulations. “Subject to these safeguards,” says the report-, “there should he a restoration of government in Egypt by the Egyptians, which, we believe, can be done with a good prospect of success.’’ The Commission recommends the start of immediate negotiations for a new treaty.

PRESS COMMENT. LONDON, Fol». IP. The Egyptian report meets with a mixed reception. The "Daily News" (a Democratic paper) says: ‘‘Since the i -itish grant ot freedom to South Africa, there lias been no more- encouraging evidence of tlie ultimate sanity and sagacity of British statesmanship as the fascina'. ing story of the Milner Mission.” Tiie “News” contrasts its verdico with the treatment of Ireland, and her. demand for freedom. The "Daily 'Chronicle” says: "The •Milner proposals are generous, without being dangerous. They are conceived in a liberal and practical spirit, and they will form a valuable basis for the forthcoming negotiations with the Egyptian (Government.” The "Morning Post” (Tory) says: "A disagreeable truth is that if the British Protectorate is withdrawn, Egypt would speedily return to conditions of slavery, insolvency, and misery from which British administration, British work and British self-sacrifice have been steadily delivering the population for forty years. "It would be highly improper that a scheme fraught with consequences affecting the whole Empire should have been formulated without the self-govr erning Dominions being represented on the Milner Mission.” The "Daily Express” (Coalition) states: “Mr Churchill backed by a solid Phalanx of the Tories, has opposed the Milner scheme, which is not acceptable to a majority of the cabinet, and thus is doomed to failure.” The paper adds: "Mr Churchill visits Egypt and Palestine in March.” It also draws attention to Mr Lloyd (George’s speech at the opening of Parliament, in which he stated that the Government was not prepared to disclose its attitude towards the Milner Mission’s recommendations, until ’t conferred with the Egyptian Ministers. He said also that he would like to consult the Dominions before coming to any decision.