The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1921. THE FUTURE OF EGYPT.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1921. THE FUTURE OF EGYPT.

From the latest pronouncement of the policy of the Egyptian Nationalists it is quite evident that nothing less than the granting of practically the complete independence of Egypt will satisfy their demands. In effect they claim to manage their own affairs in their own way, and consider that Britain should place perfect trust in their good intentions and accept a guarantee that Britain’s interests, as well as other foreign interests, can be safeguarded by means which are to be agreed upon. They, therefore, demand the abolition of the Protectorate, which they regard as equivalent to subjection to the yoke of a conqueror, of which they have had more than enough since the domination of Turkey inflicted a severe blow on the pride of this ancient people. It will be remembered that Lord Milner, who is recognised as one of the foremost statesmen of the day, and whose book “England in Egypt” is regarded as a classic, was specially commissioned by the Home Government th inquirers,.into the Egyptian problem, reported in favor of the Government of Egypt by the Egyptians, and an alliance between Britain and Egypt safeguarding the essential interests of the former and the independence of the latter. It soon became known, however, that Lord Milner’s recommendations did not meet with the approval of all his former colleagues in the Cabinet, particularly Mr. Churchill, who has since visited Egypt in order to study the problem on the spot. As the subject is to be treated as one of not merely national, but also of Imperial importance, it is expected that the Dominion Premiers, at their forthcoming Conference in London, will be asked to decide upon it for the Empire as a whole, a course that will mark a departure of the highest constitutional interest. Commenting on this question, the Daily Mail said: “Since the Dominion troops fell fighting to preserve the Suez canal trade route and its hinterland of Egypt, it seems likely that the Dominions may have decided opinions on the subject.” Should the onus of the decision be placed on the Dominions’ representatives, it would relieve the Imperial Government of a serious task, but not of responsibility for the decision. At the same time no more fitting tribunal could be chosen for such a purpose, so far as regards the general question of self-government is concerned, but there are several complicated issues connected with Egypt that necessitate the most intimate knowledge of all matters affected by any attempted solution of the problem, so that there is every probability that the views of Lord Milner will carry weight. Egypt has constantly been promised selfgovernment, but the disturbances arising from time to time have caused postponements. Even now the country is not in a position to dispense with British assistance, but the Egyptians (states the Commission’s report) know this, and when once the responsibility is clearly theirs, they will, it is considered, be slow to dispense with such help as is essential to the prosperity and good government of the country. Stress is laid on the fact that the spirit of Egyptian Nationalism cannot be extinguished, and that, though it may always be possible t<> suppress its more violent manifestations; the government of the country in the teeth of a. hostile people, who charge Britain with breach of faith, must be a difficult and distasteful task. On the question of safeguards, the report expresses the view that essential British interests, such as the great Imperial communications which pass through Egyptian territory, must not be jeopardised, either by internal disturbances or foreign aggression; that they shall be

available in time of war and for necessary purposes in time of peace; that the struggle > for ascendancy in Egypt of rival powers shall not be renewed, and that an independent Egypt shall not pursue a foreign policy hostile or prejudicial to that of the British Empire. The whole matter resolves itself into conceding selfgovernment for the Egyptians and securing the essential interests of the British Empire. This would mean the substitution of a treaty for the present protectorate, and it is that course which the Commission recommends, thus restoring Egypt in fact to what it has always been in theory during British occupation, a government of Egypt by Egyptians. The Natianalists now voice their inability to accept an agreement based on the Commission’s proposals unless it is in accord with pertain reservations, but if the latter are examined they will be found to present no serious obstacle to a satisfactory solution of the knotty problem on which the combined wisdom of the .Dominions’ representatives is to be brought to bear.