CRISIS IN EGYPT

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1919, Page 5

CRISIS IN EGYPT

REVOLT AGAINST THE BRITISH TERRIBLE EXCESSES. SEVEN BRITISH OFFICERS MURDERED. Received March 24, 12.5 a.m. London, March 21. Following upon the deportation of four Kgyptiu.il agitators to Malta on March 0, two of whom were ex-Ministers, riots broke out at Cairo on March ]l, much damage and looting being done. The disturbances soon spread to the provinces, all communications being cut, completely isolating Cairo on March 17, except the wireless stations. Serious attacks were made on railway stations, trains, and British communities, in some localities resulting in terrible excesses, notably the murder of seven British officers in a train at Minia. The commander-in-chief is taking active repressive measures. Demonstrations are forbidden. The villages nearest any destroyed railway line will be burned. Punitive measures have already been taken in districts where the greatest excesses occurred. The train services have partially been re-established to Port Said and Alexandria, but. upper Egypt is entirely cut off. Troops are distributed throughout fthe provinces. Airmen have done great service. Cairo is quiet, but strikes are general. —Reuter.

DRASTIC POWERS. GIVEN TO GENERAL ALLEMj3Y. Received March 24, 12.5 a.m. London, March 21. Official: In view of the grave situation in Egypt and the High Commissioner's absence, General Allenby has been appointed special High Commissioner for Egypt and the Soudan. He has been directed to exercise supreme authority over a!l matters, military and civil, and take all measures he considers necessary and expedient to restore law and order in those countries, and administer them in all matters as may be required by the necessity of maintaining the King's protectorate over Egypt, on a secure and equable basis.—Aug. N.Z. Cable Assoc, and SITUATION GRAVE. OUTBREAKS SUPPRESSED BY MILITARY. London, March 23, 5.5 p.m. London, March 22. •the National movement in Eo-ypt is almost general. The military suppressed outbreaks at Alexandria and elsewhere. In many instances attacks were made on the railway, telegraph, and telephone system, railway stations and trains being plundered. General Allenby hurriedly left Paris for Cairo. The situation is regarded as grave. The garrison has been reinforced —Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc.