Door Still Open

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 979, 23 May 1930, Page 11

Door Still Open

MOVE FOR EGYPTIAN TREATY Conference Documents Tabled THE records of the recent Anglo-Egyptian Conference in London, which have been tabled in the House of Commons, give clearly the reasons why the negotiations broke down, no agreement having been possible upon the question of the Sudan. It is revealed, also, that the door is still open for Egypt to resume negotiations upon the basis of Britain’s proposals • at the time of the collapse.

British Official Wireless Reed. 12.5 p.m. RUGBY, Thursday. The documents relating to the recent abortive Anglo-Egyptian Treaty negotiations are published in the form of a White Paper. The discussions began on the basis of the British proposals of last year, which were described by King Fuad at the opening of the Egyptian Parliament as being inspired by a spirit of friendship and conciliation. These proposals were set out in 16 draft clauses and comparatively little difficulty was encountered in securing an agreement on the first seven. They covered the questions of ending •the British occupation of Egypt, the establishment of a friendly alliance, Egypt’s proposed membership of the League of Nations, an agreement to concert together in the event of a dispute with a third party, an undertaking given by each contracting party not to create difficulties for the other in foreign countries, British recognition of Egypt’s responsibility' for the lives and property of foreigners in Egypt, and the agreement of each to come to the aid of the other as an ally should either become engaged in war.

The alternative Egyptian drafts provided either that the Sudan question should be reserved for future negotiations within one year, or that it should be reserved for future negotiations and that meanwhile the de facto position obtaining in the Sudan before 1924 should be restored. A similar suggestion having already been rejected. Nahas Pasha was informed that unless he agreed to the restoration of the British draft, no treaty was possible. At a meeting which took place the following day, the Egyptian deputation expressed its willingness to accept the British draft with two minor amendments, provided the British agreed to their putting in a statement of their position in form of a Note. The Note, however, was to the effect that the article did not in any way affect Egypt’s right of sovereignty ever the Sudan and joint administration of it by the two high contracting parties. The Egyptian delegation was informed that its counter draft and Note combined were inacceptable. SUDAN UNSOLVED An agreement had by now been reached on all articles of the Treatv except the Sudan, and the White Paper gives the text of the draft as agreed in its rearranged form. The Sudan article became Article Eleven and was left blank. Further efforts to secure a settlement revealed an Egyptian demand for the right of unrestricted immigration of Egyptian nationals into the Sudan and it was not possible to arrive at any formula to satisfy this. Further progress being impossible, the Egyptian delegation was finally informed that a treaty could only be saved if they would accept the text of the Sudan Article, which, with agreed amendments, would read as follows:

It was also proved possible at an early stage to reach an agreement on certain formal articles of the proposed draft. Regarding draft clauses eight and ten, it was agreed their substance should be embodied in an exchange of notes indicating Britain’s appreciation of Egypt’s desire to facilitate progressively the “Egyptianisation” of its Government services, but the termination of the employment of British officials should not involve replacement by some other foreign influence. DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS There yvas much discussion on the next draft clause dealing with capitulations, but a complete agreement on this complex subject was reached. After discussion, draft clause 12, relating to diplomatic representations was also accepted. A very long discussion took place on the question of the defence of the Suez Canal, which formed the basis of a draft clause. This resulted in an agreement for the concentration of British forces to the west of the canal in the neighbourhood of Ismailia. subject to a reduction from 25 to 20 years of the period during which the treaty would not be open to revision except by mutual consent. It yvas early recognised that the Sudan, yvhich was the subject of clause 13 of last year’s proposals, was likely to present a formidable problem, and as events proved, it yvas the delegates’ inability to reach accord upon the phrasing of this article that caused the final breakdown. During the discussions an adjournment was sought to enable Nahas Pasha to Consult his colleagues In Cairo, and ultimately on May 5 he communicated a complete, but modified, draft treaty with two alternatives for the Sudan article, together with a new draft of Notes annexed to the treaty.

“While reserving the liberty to new conventions in future modifying the Conventions of 1899 and settling the Sudan question, the high contracting parties agree that without prejudice to Egypt’s rights and material interests, the status of the Sudan shall be that resulting from the said conventions. The Governor-General shall continue to exercise on the joint behalf of the high contracting parties the powers conferred upon him by the said conventions.” BRITAIN CONCILIATORY

A further Egyptian demand for modifications was declined and negotiations terminated at a formal meeting which followed. Regret was expressed on both sides at the failure, and the Foreign Secretary. Mr. Arthur Henderson, made it clear that If they found, after discussion with their friends in Egypt, that there was any hope of a draft treaty becoming an accepted instrument, it was still available, and he and his colleagues were prepared to try to reach an agreement with regard to the few remaining passages in the Note annexed to' the treaty, in order to make a signature possible.