EGYPTIAN CABINET

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21225, 23 September 1940, Page 7

EGYPTIAN CABINET

RESIGNATION OF MINISTERS • REFUSED TO BE RUSHED AWAITING DEVELOPMENTS (United Press Asn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 22 Four prominent Egyptian Cabinet Ministers, associated with the party which favoured immediate declaration of war against Italy, have resigned. They were the Ministers of Finance, Communications and Commerce, and one Minister without portfolio. No new Ministers have been appointed, the four positions having been taken over by members of the existing Cabinet. It is stated that the Cabinet refused to be rushed into decisions, and is determined to await developments before declaring war. Ahmed Maher, leader of the Saadist Party and Speaker of the Chamber, is heading a campaign for Egypt’s entry into the war. In a speech he said: “ The enemy has invaded our country and attacked our children. We cannot be onlookers. “We must disregard our own strength and stand beside a strong ally whose mighty Fleet and mighty Air Force have astounded the world. The have proved able to frustrate the enemy in his own country and also to confound him in ours." Why Ministers Withdrew The Cairo correspondent of the Times says the Saadist Party withdrew its Cabinet representatives, on the ground that the Government had failed to carry out its undertaking to declare war if Italy invaded Egypt. The Premier refused to allow the incident to lead to a Cabinet crisis, and obtained the King’s consent to replace the resigned Ministers by combining some portfolios and drawing on Ministers without portfolio. «he Cabinet supports the Premier’s contention that the Italian occUDation of sixty miles of waterless desert is unimportant and does not represent an attack. Should the threat to Egypt Increase the Government’s resolution to defend the country will be fulfilled. The Government now depends on the Wafdists for support.