Anglo-Egypt Treaty

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 735, 7 August 1929, Page 9

Anglo-Egypt Treaty

END OF MILITARY OCCUPATION Exchange of Ambassadors PROVISION FOR CANAL PROTECTION British Official Wireless Received 11,30 a.m. RUGBY, Tuesday. MOST important of the clauses of the proposed Ang’loEgyptian Treaty, which is now published, are those providing for ihe termination of the British military occupation of Egypt, the transfer to a position east of longitude 32 of the Birtish forces protecting the Suez Canal, and an exchange of ambassadors between Britain and Egypt. The King of Egypt will, in the event of a war or menace of war, furnish to Britain on Egyptian territory all the facilities and assistance in his power, including the use of his ports, airdromes and means of communication.

The text of the proposed treaty is as follows:—■ (1) Military occupation of Egypt by British forces is terminated. (2) An alliance is established her tween the high contracting parties, in consecration of their friendship, cordial understanding and good relations. ' (3) Egypt, being anxious to become a member of the League of Nations, will present the conditions prescribed by Article 1 of the League Covenant, a request for admission to the League, which his Britannic Majesty undertakes to support. (4) Should any dispute with a third State produce a situation involving a risk of rupture with that State, the

high contracting parties will concert together with a view to the settlement of the said dispute by peaceful means, in accordance with the provisions of League Covenant, and of any other national obligations applicable to case. (5) Each of the high contracting parties undertakesn ot to adopt in foreing countries an attitude which is Inconsistent with alliance or will create difficulties for the other party thereto. In pursuance of this undertaking, they will not oppose each other’s policy in foreign countries, nor conclude 'with a third Power any agreement of a political character which might be prejudicial to the in terests of the other party. (6) His Britannic Majesty recognises that responsibility for the lives or property of foreigners- in Egypt devolves henceforth upon the Egyptian Government. The King of Egypt will ensure fulfilment of his obligations in this respect. (7) Should, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 4, either of the high contracting parties becofne involved in war, the other will immediately come to his aid in the capacity of an ally, in particular, the King of Egypt will, in the event of war or the menace of war, furnish to his Britannic Majesty on Egyptian territoryall the facilities and assistance in his power, including the use of his ports, airdromes, and means of communication.

(S) In view of the desirability of identity in training and methods between the Egyptian and the British Armies, the King of Egypt undertakes that, should he deem is necessary to have recourse to foreign military instructors, these shall be chosen from British subjects.

(9) In order to facilitate and secure protection of the Suei Canal as an essential means of communication between the different parts of the British Empire, the King of Egypt authorises his Britannic ajesty to maintain upon Egyptian territory, in localities to be agreed upon, east of longitude 32deg. east., such forces as his Britannic Majesty considers necessary for the purpose. The presence of these forces shall not constitute in any manner an occupation, and will in no way prejudice the sovereigin rights of Egypt. (10) The Egyptian Government, when engaging the services of foreign officials, will .as a rule engage British subjects. (11) His Britannic Majesty recognises that the capitulatory regime now existing in Egypt is no longer in accordance with the spirit ‘of the times, and with the present state of Egypt, and accordingly undertakes to use all his influence’ with the Powers possessing capitulatory rights in Egypt, to obtain on conditions which will safeguard the legitimate interests of foreigners, the transfer to mixed tribunals of the jurisdiction of the existing Consular Courts, and the application of Egyptian legislation to foreigners.

(12) His Britannic Majesty will be represented at the Court of the King of Egypt by an Ambassador duly accredited, and the King of Egypt will reserve the highest diplomatic rank at his Court to the representative of his Britannic Majesty. The King of Egypt will be represented at the Court bf St. James by an Ambassador. (13) While reserving liberty to conclude new conventions in the future, modifying the conventions of 1898, the high contracting parties agree that the status of the Sudan shall be that resulting from the said conventions. Accordingly, a Governor-General shall continue to exercise, on the joint behalf of the high contracting parties,

the powers conferred upon him by tlio said conventions. (14) Nothing in the present proposals is intended to, or shall in any way prejudice the rights and obligations which 'devolve or may devolve upon either of the high contracting parties under the Covenant of the League of Nations, or the treaty for the renunciation of war, signed at Paris on August 27, 1928. (15) Any difference regarding the application or interpretation of the present proposals which the parties are unable to settle by direct negotiations shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Covenant of the League of Nations. (16) At any time after the expiration of the period of 25 years from the coming into force of a treaty based on the above proposals, such modification of its terms as may be deemed appropriate in the circumstances as they exist may be made, by agreement between the high contracting parties. FUAD CANCELS VISIT SENSATION CAUSED IN EGYPT FIERY APPEAL TO NATION (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 9 a.m. CAIRO, Tuesday. King Fuad’s cancellation of his visit to Newcastle, “owing to unforseen circumstances,” has caused a sensation in Egypt. The Wafd, referring to the publication of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty, fierily appeals to the nation, declaring that since Britain has addressed herself to the Egyptian people, it is for them to reply, observing the motto, “Egypt above all.”