EGYPT’S FUTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1921, Page 5

EGYPT’S FUTURE.

MILNER MISSION’S REPORT. DEMAND FOR INDEPENDENCE. SELF-GOVERNMENT URGED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Feb. 20, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 18. The report of Lord Milner’s mission to Egypt has been issued. It states that when the mission arrived in Egypt they found the people everywhere determined for complete independence. The enunciation of President Wilson’s fourteen points bad aroused widespread expectations, and the promise of self-determiinainon 'to other Eastern peoples had added to the discontent. A large number of experienced British officials were lost to the service through the war, and they had been replaced by new men who knew nothing of the traditional system whereby, in Lord Cromer’s day, British control was maintained without wounding the susceptibilities of the people. Administration during the war necessarily entailed a certain subordination of the Egyptian to British! interests, and the employment of rough-and-ready methods likely to be resented by people whose sympathies were not actively engaged on our side. Martial law had become necessary, and administration was carried on in the teeth of universal opposition. The word “protectorate” had become a symbol of servitude. Argument on this point was wholly useless, and it became evident that unless we got on new ground a settlement would be impossible. The commission formed the opinion that the fulfilment of Britain’s promise of self-government to Egypt cannot be postponed. The spirit of Egyptian nationalism cannot be extinguished, but there are formidable difficulties in the way of any sudden or complete transfer. All powers of government essential to British interests, as well as to the safety of the large number of foreign residents, must be maintained, and also that an independent Egypt shall not pursue a foreign policy hostile to that of the British Empire. Capitulations also imposed crippling restrictions, and without their removal no Egyptian Government could enjoy real independence. Mixed tribunals must be reorganised, and therefore any treaty between Britain and Egypt should give the former the right to intervene in legislation affecting foreigners. There should be a restoration of government in Egypt by Egyptians, which, we believe, can be done with a good prospect of success. .The commission recommends the immediate negotiation of a treaty. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn. WHAT THE PRESS THINKS. CONTRAST TO IRELAND’S CASE. DOMINIONS’ VIEWS SOUGHT. Received Feb. 20, 5.5 p.n/ London, Feb. 19. The Egyptian report meets with a mixed reception. The Daily News says that since the grant of freedom to South Africa there has been no more encouraging evidence of ultimate sanity and sagacity of British statesmanship than the fascinating story of the Milner mission, and the paper contrasts its verdict with the treatment of Ireland’s demand for freedom.

The Daily Chronicle says Lord Milner’s proposals are generous without being dangerous. They have been conceived in a liberal and practical spirit, and will form a valuable base for’the forthcoming negotiations witlYthe Egyptian Government.

The Morning Post says the disagreeable truth is that jf the British Protectorate was withdrawn Egypt would speedily return to conditions of slavery, insolvency and misery, from which British administration, British hard work and British self-sacrifice have been steadily delivering the population for forty years. It is highly improper that a scheme fraught with consequences affecting the whole Empire should have been formulated without the self-govern-ing Dominions being represented on the Milner Mission.

The Daily 'Express states that Mr. Winston Churchill (Secretary for the Colonies), backed by a solid phalanx of Tories, opposed the Milner scheme, which is not acceptable to the majority of Cabinet, and whiclv is doomed to failure. The paper adds that Mr. Churchill visits Egypt and Palestine in March, and it draws attention to Mr. Lloyd George’s speech at the opening of Parliament, in which he stated that the Government was not prepared to disclose its attitude. towards the mission’s recommendation? until it had conferred with Egyptian Ministers. He also would like to consult the Dominions before coming to a decision. —Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.