REJECTED TREATY

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1928, Page 1

REJECTED TREATY

IMPASSE BETWEEN EGYPT AND BRITAIN.

RUGBY, March 5. Commenting on the Egyptian situation “The Times” says:— ” Li view of their failure, which maybe only temporary, the negotiations mark a very important advance in Britisli-Egyptian relations. The British Government Inis shown what it is prepared to concede, what interests it regards as vital, and on what conditions it is prepared to co-operate with the kingdom of Egypt.

“On the other side, Sarwat Pasha, after having liad the courage to initiate negotiations has shown that a patriotic Egyptian statesman can arrive at an agreement with the British Government hv which the independence of his country is as fully recognised as are the most vital interests of the British Empire.”

“The 'Times ” mentions that there is good reason to believe that the late Zaghhil Pasha was fully acquainted with and approved of the preliminary conversations between Sarwat Pasha and Sir Austen Chamberlain, during King Fuad’s visit to tins country, and that, whatever were bis diplomatic mistakes in 1924, lie was no opponent of the alliance which was the subject of the recent negotiations. In a further comment on the Egyptian Cabinet’s decision to reject the draft treaty negotiated by Sarwat Pasha and Sir Austen Chamberlain the “Daily Chronicle” agrees with the latter that this is a misfortune for Egypt rather than for Great Britain, but adds: “ A sound treaty, if frankly accepted, would be much to the interest of botii parties. Subject to certainpoints Great Britain lias no motivefor limiting Egypt’s independence, but these points are vital to our Empire’s security. By meeting us on them and accepting British friendship in the spirit in which it is offered the Egyptian Nationalists could ensure for their country a most favourable future.”

The “ -Homing Post ” takes the view that the terms offered to Egypt wore so far-reaching that it would have been a misfortune for the British Empire had they been accepted, and continues:

“ They surrender certain principles which seem to us vital to British security and ‘British interests. They modify capitulations; they confer taxation rights over foreign nationals ; they abolish certain safeguards of justice to foreigners, and modify others; they further limit the functions of both financial and judicial advisers ; and they abolish the British Sirdar.”

The “Daily News” regrets the failure of the treaty, and urges the largo number of sensible Egyptian Nationalists who deplore the course of events to take move active steps to resist the extremists. 'The journal adds: “ If the wilder spirits use the occasion to provoke a recurrence of violent agitations, the cause of Egyptian independence will be betrayed, not by the British, but by the unintelligent obstinacy of a handful of Egyptian fanatics.”