FIRM ALLIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 August 1940, Page 6

FIRM ALLIES

BRITAIN AND EOVPT | ASSURANCE of united ACTION. AGAINST ITALIAN AGGRESSION. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, August 26. The fourth anniversary 01. the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty ol Alliance is made the occasion by “The Times” for a review of the relationship existing today between, the two Governments, a relationship which the newspaper descibes as doser than at any time since the outbreak 01. war. “The hesitation which seemed to mark Egyptian policy during the vteek. immediately succeeding the ci y Ilal SrJ Minister of Defence recently stated that Egyptian mobile troops had taken up posh ons beside their British allies. and that the Egyptian forces m the Sud would resist an Italian attack. “The Chamber ot Deputies passed . unTnimou. r~l u U ? n y is session last Wednesday to the effect that Egypt would defend herself with at her command her territories were attacked and the iesolution was not qualified, as Ah Maher Pasha’s declaration of Jun ® had been, by any dabble as to,whe thcr an Italian attack might not De ‘nrnvokecl’ by British Action. -The new’ Prime Minister. Hassan Sabry Pasha, made it clear that h country will fulfil its engagements undpv the treaty in the spirit and the letter, and had entirely satisfied the British High Command in the Middle East that Egypt’ will tively in the defence* ot the Nile val IC '“On the economic side our purchases of the entire Egyptian cotton crop has rendered our ally a service which the Egyptian Press warmly On the political side the aims of the new Roman imperialism in Africa ate understood and detested. -Italian propaganda, after causing some temporary mental confusion in restricted quarters, proved an expensive failure, and the Arab world, of which Egypt is the cultural centre, is too well acquainted with Italian methods of pacification in Libya to be even amused by the Duce’s claim to be, like the ex-Kaiser, the protector ol Islam. , , •■The defensive alliance between Britain and Egypt stands firm.

VITAL FACT INDEPENDENCE OF EGYPT. DEPENDENT ON BRITISH PROTECTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association Copylight) CAIRO, August 27. The British Ambassador to Egypt, Sir Miles Lampson, broadcasting on the anniversary of the signing of the Anglo-Egyptian treaty, said Britain did not expect Egypt to declare war on Italy, but the independence of Egypt depended entirely on 3 British victory. “We are not attempting to drag Egypt into the war,” he said. “All we expect is loyal fulfilment of the letter and spirit of her treaty obligations. We for our part arc determined loyally to defend our ally. , , , “You would do well not to foiget that Hitler- more than once promised Egypt to Italy as her share of the war spoils The relations between England and Egypt are not those of exploiter and exploited, but of allies. Britain is preparing huge forces incomparably equipped, with which, when the moment comes, and it is not so far away, we will launch a great counter-offen-sive.” „ .. Hafez Atifl Pasha, first Egyptian Ambassador to Britain, broadcasting, said Britain was fighting not only for her great empire, but also for the cause of liberty, peace and freedom in all nations. „ Referring to the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty, he said: “I was fully convinced that it was a good treaty. I am still of this opinion. The treaty contains no pitfalls. If we had not been assured of Britain’s help, I believe Egypt would already have been invaded by Italy or some other Power. While it is true that our army is small, we should not hesitate to use it in defence of oui country. If we do not, history will record that we failed to defend our national entity and independence. CABINET CHANGE PREMIER TO FORM NEW MINISTRY. CAIRO. August 27. The Premier, Hassan Sabry Pasha, has tendered the resignation of Cabinet to King Farouk, who requested him to form a new Ministry. Hassan Sabry’s resignation concerned a question of internal policy. NO CHANGE STATEMENT BY PREMIER. (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) CAIRO. August 27. Despite an earlier announcement of his resignation, Hassan Sabry Pasha told newspaper men that his Cabinet was still holding office. He added: “There is no change. I did not go to the Palace in that connection. I have told the Press not to anticipate events.”

ITALIAN ANGER TAI K OF FRIENDSHIP WITH EGYPTIANS. AND OF "GRAZIANI'S SWORD.” (Received This Day. 10.15 a.m.) ROME. August 27. "11 Telegrapho" says: "Marshal Graziani's sword is the only means wheieby to solve the Egyptian problem. Italy faces a tragic but grotesque political paradox. The Egyptians are our friends, yet they extend hospitality to our British foes. Friendship with the Egyptians and a threat from their territory are incomprehensible for us. ’