CO-OPERATION IN WAR

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 298, 8 March 1928, Page 11

CO-OPERATION IN WAR

Safeguarding Suez Canal TERMS OF REJECTED TREATY Concessions to Egyptian Sentiment British Wireless — Press Assn.—Copyright Received 1.5 p.m. RUGBY, Wednesday. 'THE text of the proposed Anglo-Egyptian treaty which was » rejected by the Egyptian Cabinet, and papers relating to its negotiation by the Prime Minister, Sarwat Pasha, and Sir Austen Chamberlain, was issued for publication on Thursday morning. The document begins with a memorandum by Sir Austen Chamberlain after his first conversation with Sarwat Pasha in London last July, during which Anglo-Egyptian relations were reviewed, and a mutual desire expressed to prepare the way for close co-operation.

\ PTER this conversation Sarwat •*- Pasha contributed a draft of a treaty to which a counter-draft, approved by the British Government, was returned. When the Egyptian Prime Minister left London in November, his discussions with Sir Austen Chamberlain were practically completed, but the final approval of the British Government was required for the third draft, on which the two statesmen had agreed. When this had been given, Sir Austen sent the text to Lord Lloyd, British High Commissioner in Egypt, with a covering dispatch, which pointed out that the final draft differed on important points, from that originally offered to Sarwat Pasha, and embodies large concessions to the latter’s own views, and to Egyptian sentiment. The following is a summary of the agreed draft. Article 1 formally records that an alliance be established. Article 2: Egypt is not to adopt an attitude incompatible with the alliance or liable to create difficulties for Great Britain. Article 3: If by act of aggression Egypt is involved in a war, Britain will, subject to the provisions of the League of Nations’ Covenant, come to her aid as a belligerent. Article 4: Egypt is to consult Britain if circumstances arise likely to imperil Egypt's good relations with a foreign Power. Article 5: In view of the co-opera-tion between the two armies as contemplated in Article 3, the instruction and training of Egyptians is to be in accordance with British methods, any foreign officers or instructors necessary, being selected from among British subjects. Article 6: If Britain be menaced with, or engaged in, a war, Egypt undertakes to furnish all facilities and assistance in its power in Egyptian territory Article 7: Britain is to maintain upon Egyptian territory such armed forces as are considered necessary for the defence of Imperial communications. The presence of these forces is not to constitute in any manner an occupation, and not to prejudice the foreign rights of Egypt. After 10 years, the parties to reconsider the question of the localities in which the said forces are to be stationed. Should no agreement be reached, the question may be submitted to the Council of the League of Nations. Should the decision of the League be adverse to the claims of the Egyptian Government, the question can, at Egypt’s request, be reinvested at intervals of five years from the date of the League’s decision. Article 8: The Egyptian Government, when engaging the services of foreign officials, is to give preference to British subjects. Article 9: Britain is to support Egypt in obtaining the consent of Powers to the modification of capitulations to meet present conditions. Article 10: Britain is to support Egypt's request for admission to the League of Nations. Article 11: The British representative in Egypt is to be an Ambassador with precedence over all other foreign representatives. Article 12: The rights and obligations devolving upon either party under the Covenant of the League of Nations are not to be prejudiced by the treaty. Article 13 refers to annexes in which arrangements for the carrying out of the treaty are set out. Article 14: The parties agree that any disagreement on the application or interpretation of the treaty that are not settled by direct negotiations be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the League. Covenant 1 elaborates the procedure proposed for carrying- out Article 7.

Under annex 2, Egypt is to appoint, in agreement with the British Government, financial and judicial advisors. The number, status and function of British officials now engaged in public security and police services to remain unchanged, pending the modification of the capitulatory system. —A. and N.Z.

WILL NOT TOLERATE HAMPERING LAWS

BRITAIN’S FIRM STAND By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. Reed. 9.5 a.m. CAIRO, Wednesday. Newspapers publish a British Note to Egypt, which says that Britain will not tolerate the introduction of laws hampering the administration of Egypt or hindering Britain in defending her interests, or the security of foreigners. Native newspapers describe as grave the British Note vetoing the public assemblies law on the ground that it weakens the executive’s authority to maintain order and to protect foreigners. It transpires that the veto was prepared some time ago, but was withheld in order not to prejudice the treaty discussions. Great Britain reserves the right to fulfil her obligations toward foreigners. The newspaper “Alsiassah” appeals to students to refrain from demonstrations and to leave the right men to handle the crisis. The leader of the Wafd party, Nahas, read a timely lesson to a militant deputation of students. They were told that their business was to keep out of the streets and not meddie with public affairs. A message from London states that the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr. G. T. Locker-Lampson, in reply to a question in the House of Commons, said that the Government had been invited to attend a conference of capitulatory Powers, being held at Cairo at a date not yet fixed, to consider capitulatory rights.—A. and N.Z.-Sun.