The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26th, 1924. ANGLO-EGYPTIAN POSITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26th, 1924. ANGLO-EGYPTIAN POSITION.

Im: Anglo-Egyptian p.vsitson will r, lp.v •* ttood deal «1 1 attention Jur limy. Iliy deliberate murder of n | 10iiiiiic■ ■ L lliitish officer in tJu- circumstances ill which the foul deed was emieted, demands the fullest reprisals il British authority is to la l maintain-<-il in that «|uarter. When the overtures of Xaghlul I’a.sha with the Hamsay MacDonald (ioverumeiil failed, the leader ol the Egyptian nationals was chagrined. Vet it was clear Mr MacI >ollll Id went a.s lar a.s he could to appease the demands of the visiting .Minister, Iml there was a point beyond "huh he could not go. One account said that three meetings were actually held in the space of eight days. Ihe two liist proved, according to Xaghlul Dasha's own messages, eminently satislacloiy, and cleared up mist ol the so-called misunderstandings. It was only at the third and last one that any disagreement occurred. .At •hat meeting Mr MacDonald presented to the Egyptian J’rime .Minister the decision ol the Itritish (lovcrument with regard to the t|iie.‘;lion of Imperial communications and the position of British troops in Egypt. This decision had been based on the opinion given hy the (Mm in it tee of Imperial Defence at the meeting which it had held the previous day in consultation with Lord Alloliby. Although nothing lias been officially made public, it appears that the views of the committee was that it is esseil- I tial to the detente of the Suez Canal that there .should lie a Itritish garrison in Egypt, that it is impracticable for that garrison to lie stationed entirely on the canal itself, or even in its direct vicinity, and that Cairo must for this purpose continue to he held by Itritish troops. The great problem is the watering of a large force on the Suez Canal. where the water supply is entirely drawn from the Ismailia Canal, which takes otr from the main Mile at Cairo, and tlie head of which, in the view of the military authorities, must he in the hands of the Army.) The committee made it perfectly dear that there was no idea of maintaining the “Army of Occupation.” lmt that this force was solely for safeguarding the communications of the Itritish Empire.

Ztiglilnl Pasha, however, categorically rejected all idea of any British force I icing on Egyptian soil, and in view of the obvious irreeoneiliabilitv e.f the British and the Egyptian points ef view in this connection there was no alternative hut to terminate the oomversation.s. And lie returned to Egypt. Since then there have heen evidences of unrest among the Nationals, and the

situation developed till the representative of His Majesty was shot at and died from his wounds. Tt would he impossible for the British Government to ignore the position—particularly where so many natives were concerned. Any weakness or dallying (which would he assumed to he weakness) would have prejudiced the British position, and might, easily have meant unnecessary

bloodshed. The Government issued , a strong ultimatum and it is evident it has had its effect. The Egyptian nation has been helped tremendously hy the British rule, and hut for the fana-

tics they -would appreciate what has been done and trust those who befriended them. But among the Egyptians (as among the British) there are those who are against well-ordered Government. AVe see the Lalxvr paper in England attempting to belittle the prompt action of the British Government, when it is easy to realise the ready suppression of further revolt must have saved many lives. On The principle of safety first, troops, and naval forces, are being sent to Egypt and these will impose la'V and ovilor ; mopo

is intended; nothing more is desired. Yet what would the mouthpiece of Labor dc.siro? To leave the position in doubt, if not obscure, and so encourage those fanatically bent to go further to provoke riot and bloodshed, would be tbo alternative. It is clear the Gnvernment will act with firmness, not only for the immediate settlement, but also with the object of securing the future, which i.s no less important. Tile route to the East by wav Of the Suez must bo kept safe, and that can be secured only by British forces in what may be considered the danger zone. By the presence of British forces in Kgy] t that country has its future assured in the matter of national safety. It is for the benefit of the Egyptians no less than tbo British and the scheme is not likely to be varied in any material degree-.