EGYPTIAN AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1925, Page 3

EGYPTIAN AFFAIRS

EGYPTIAN POLITICS AGITATED. ['"The Times” Service..l (Received this day at 9.25 t.m.) LONDON, March 23. The “ Times ” Cairo correspondent says that Egypt appears to he on the threshold of an agitated political period. The new Parliament opens in an atmosphere of uncertainity, both as regarding the relative strength of the parties and the immediate future, 'flic Government fools confident that it will obtain a vote of confidence but should it fail, or the Zaghlulist tactics completely obstruct business, it will not hesitate at a dissolution.

A CRITICAL POSITION. EARL BALFOUR’S VISIT. LONDON, March 23. The “ Daily Mail ” says that Karl •Balfour arrives at Alexandria on the 23rd. He stays in Egypt a week and then proceeds to Jerusalem where lie may set a spark to the powder. The drafting of the Ninth Lancers from Cairo to Jerusalem indicates the seriousness of the position. Eight armoured ears arc leaving Cairo to guard the Palestine railway during Earl Balfour’s journey. The Arab boycott will result in all shops being closed and the newspapers appearing in black borders. The native officials in the Government offices are absenting themselves. Earl Balfour will he refused access to the -Mosque of Omar, which is built on the site of the ancient temple of Jerusalem. EGYPTIAN PAR L[ A AIE NT. (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) - CAIRO, March 23. The usual grandeur marked the

opening of Parliament l>v King Fniui, who was loyally greeted by crowds en route. Lord Allenby was an imposing figure in a Field Marshal's uniform. Zagliloul I'nslia took his neat in the chamber amid a profound silence. The l’rimc Minister, Ziwar Pasha, read the speech from the Throne. It reiterated the deepest regret at the murder of the Sirdar and expressed the hope that the perpetrators of the crime "would soon receive their merited punishment. Anglo-Fgyptian relations have again become habitually friendly, and he trusted, thanks to good understanding between Parliament and the Ministry, that the latter would succeed in removing the charges and restrictions arising out of the British ultimatum, so that when its task was accomplished it would seize a more favourable occasion to resume negotiations in the effort to secure the complete independence of Egypt and the Soudan, in a manner conforming to the evidence of Egypt's right and justice of their cause. The Governpient would seek the admission of Egypt to the League of Nations. Following the opening of Parliament. Zagliloul Pasha was elected President of the Chamber by 125 votes to 85.