Egyptian Crisis.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 100, 30 December 1913, Page 5

Egyptian Crisis.

AVERTED BY KSTCHENER.

MOSLEM FANATICISM AROUSED.

|By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] Times— Sydney Sun Special Caulks. (Received 8 a.m.) London, December 29. It is authoritatively stated that a grave Egyptian crisis was recently averted by an overwhelming display of British force. Lord Kitchener, suspecting that the Wa kufs, a semi-monastic Moslem order, was improperly administering I enormous trust funds, announced his 'intention of taking over and adminisitering them for their intended purposes. Moslem fanaticism was instantly aroused by Nationalists, and the iKhedive aggravated the danger by joining the reactionaries. | The British Government placed the circumstances before the Sultan of Turkey, who decided in favour of Lord Kitchener, issuing a firman at Constantinople that the effect was seditious. Meantime, trouble was being stirred up. Lord Kitchener, acting promptly, hurried the Meditteranean fleet to Alexandria, landing 3000 sailors, who were officially stated to be solely intended to be setting out on a visit o the Pyramids, and marched them through the streets of Cairo unarmed. The relations between Lord Kitchener and the Khedive are seriously strained, although the trouble is apparently permanently averted.

THE SULTANS DECREE.

London, December 29

The newspapers, collating various facts regarding Egypt with the-move-ments of the British fleet, credit Lord Kitchener's, strong hand with another notable success. He, with the Kgjptian Ministry's support, urged the reorganisation of the Wakul's '.native police), pjacing these under a responsible Minister, as is done in Turkey. The Khedive objected and a ministerial crisis; was threatened, whereupon the Khedive proposed to refer the'.matter to the Sultan of Turkey. Lord Kitchener gladly assented..to this. The Sultan's sanction to 'the■.creation of a minister was received.within twenty-four hours. There arc indications ; that| the Grand of Turkey, as a member of the Khedival throno, supported., .Lord Meanwhile Egyptian fan.atjef| parted an agitation and accused the 'Bi'i'.'s'ii of an intention to seize religious endowments.

The Sultan's decree was signed on November 20, a few hours before the British fleet's arrival at Port Said. when it was announced that on November 21 a thousand bluejackets would visit Cairo. This was interpreted in some circles to be for the purpose of over-awing tlte" population. Others suggest that it may have been needed to terminate the Khedive's irresolution. The Khedive, instantly concurred with the Sultan's decision, and his relations with Lord Kitchener are now, to all appearances, cordial.

MOVEMENTS OF THE FLEET.

NEWSPAPER COMMENT. (Received 9.25 a.m.) London, December 29. Newspapers, commenting on the Fleet's sudden recall to Malta from the manoeuvres on 10th November, interpreted the move a> an indication that its presence on the Egyptian coast then was considered growingly urgent, hut the announcement on the 11th that the ships were to go to Egypt on the 19th (the original Hate) is interpreted that the crisis was then settled, and that the Sultan's signature' was merely deferred until the 20th.