EGYPTIAN AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1924, Page 3

EGYPTIAN AFFAIRS

AtJITfcALIAN AND N.Z. GABLE ASSOCIATION. PENALTY' NOT EXCESSIVE. tKcceivcd this clay at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, November 23. 'I he Note to Egypt has been issued for publication sooner than was expected. The Sunday newspapers stress its Sternness and the time being limited. The “Observer" says that it cannot be said either penalty or precautions are excessive, whether judged by diplomatic: precedent or practical necessities. The honour of the Empire certainly will not toleiatc inurderocs attempts on the lives, of those who hear its responsibilities overseas. Ibe murder of the Sirdar has precipitated a

certain measure which would have had to he taken sooner or later, hut which was delayed in expectance of a settlement in a friendly spirit That hope has momentarily gone. A CABINET MEETING. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.l LONDON. November 23. The liritish Government met again last night. .Mr Baldwin (the Premier) was absent and Mr Austen Chamberlain (Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) presided. The meeting was held at the Foreign Office. The “Sunday Times" political correspondent stresses that there is no intention to take any step which would infringe the liberties of the Egyptian people or revoke the independence already gained; hut the Soudan is in a different category. EGYPTIAN CABINET’S DECISION. NOTE CREATES SENSATION. (Received this clay at 9.15 a.m.) CAIRO. November 23. The British Note has created a tremendous sensation.

Thu Chamber hold n j)ri»lcm<;o<l silting awaiting Zaglilul l’aslm who, eventually in a tie a .statement to the effeet that Cabinet proposed to accept the demand lor the payment of half a. million as compensation but nut as an indemnity. * T!1 Cabinet agreed to arrest and punish the criminals, but the other demands were rejected. The Chamber endorsed the decisions and thereafter sat secretly, after which it passed a vote of confidence in Zaglilul INDEMNITY KOI? BENEVOLENT 015-1 EC I’S. CONDON, November 23. Official.—-The Egyptian indemnity will be devoted to benevolent objects in the Sudan after compensation has been paid to the victims of the outrage. AN I 1.1.-STA I! I!ED KNI’KIUMENT. I. ON DON, November 23. The- “Sunday Express" says the assassination of the Sirdar has crystallised the crisis which has for long been foreseen. Britishers have shown the world that it will be with extreme reluctance that they will relin<|uish the hope that Egyptian statesmanship will prevail against fanaticism, [f Zaghloul does not yield he will have thrown away the last faint chance of prolonging the ill-starred experiment inaugurated in 1022. The British people know Egypt is a vital link between England and •India, and they are resolved to .strengthen it mid keep) it strong. The “Sunday News" says that Britain’s .record in Egypt, which lias been lifted from abject poverty to comparative prosperity is warrant enough for insistence neon a complete change in the spirit and temper of the Egyptian Govern noil's policy.

PEREMPTORY NOTE. .1 .ONDON. November 23. Another | creliiplory note lia.s been sent to Cairo, laird Allenby lia.s been given power to net. biutlsii demands. CAIRO, 'November 23. Lord Allenby promptly replied that in view of the refusal of requirements live and six instructions were being sent to the Sudan Government to effect the •withdrawal from Sudan of the Egyptian officers with Egyptian units. With the specified changes resulting therefrom the Sudan Government were at liberty to increase the area of irrigation at Gezira to an unlimited figure. He says your Exiellencv will lea rn in due course the action being taken in view of the refusal of requirement seven, regarding protection of foreign interests. He requests payment of the half million before noon to-mor-row. REWARD FOR POLICEMAN. CAIRO, November £l. Viscount Allenby to-morrow, hands £I,OOO reward to the wounded police-' man who pursued the criminals. The Government has placed the Egyptian Army at the disposal of Eussull Pasha, the Commandant of Police, if required. . It is understood the spirit of the police is very good. Governor Mansurah dealt . sternly with the demonstrators to-day, flogging some, after which the .demonstrations teased. Tn a reply the Government states that favourable results have already been achieved and gives full confidence the criminals will not escape justice. The Foreign Minister handed the reply to the Residency in the afternoon and it was read to Parliament in the evening. The Opposition declared the reply was weak, indicating the ultimate time for the acceptance of the reply and points out the position of tho'™reign officials is regulated by the diplomatic agreement which cannot lie modified without the consent of Parliament. Governor Mansurah has adopted a

most liberal policy towards foreigners, compatible with the principle of independence. \ No observations have been received from other foreign powers. The Note' reviews with sorrow and horror the execrable murder, hut cannot admit the Government is in any way responsible and cannot agree that it is the natural result of the political campaign. Nevertheless it agrees to the indemnity and quotes article forty-six of the Constitution with icforenee to the Sudan point, whereby the King and Commauder-n-Chief of the Army declares the Gezira. point premature, to say the least. Britain lias •\jlwnps promised an increased cotton area would lie arranged, taking cognisance of Egypt’s agricultural interests. The Note maintains that law twentyeight which is in the diplomatic agreement, does not regulate foreign officials in any wav, but they cannot reply in detail as the British Note does not specify the modification.-., ANOTHER ASSAILANT ARRESTED. LONDON, November 23. 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 the town owing to yesterday’s anti-British demonstration. Cairo is quiet, lint the Egyptian mounted police are parading the streets in order to suppress possible disturbance by the striking students. There was a renewal of hostile 6tu-

dent demonstrations at Alexandria this morning. Two aeroplane! demonstrated at Tantali where there is some rc-stive-nes-s, hut tramiuility generally prevails. BATTALION ORDERED TO EGYPT. GIBRALTAR, Novemlicr 23. The First Battalion of Buffs are proceeding to Egypt on the 29th. November. "DAILY HERALD" VIEW. LONDON. November 23. The "Daily Herald" ill an editorial says liritain is acting towards Egypt in precisely a similar way to Austria’s note to .Serbia in duly 1911. but Britain is more fortunate than Aiistrain. No big power stands behind Egypt as Russia did behind Serbia. We may therefore pursue a policy of crushing a small nation without fearing armed opposition by a state ot our size. Britain's ultimatum is tbe most severe .blow so far struck aL the League of Nations authority. We have deliberately ignored Geneva and followed the old method of an ultimatum backed up by bayonets and battleships.