Feb. 7.
Mr. Anthony Eden's statement in the House of Commons on the subject of Anglo-Egyptian relations indicates that the present non-party government under the leadership of All Maher Pasha is anxious to arrive at a treaty settlement, thereby rounding off the work which was commenced in 1930, but which was never brought to fruition. It is ap-Parent that when negotiations do take place, the difficulties which [confronted the two countries in 1930] will still be in existence, and considering the present temper of the Wafd, the larger Ezyptian party, it is unlikely that they will be surmounted with any particular degree of ease. How far the Wafd leaders are indulging in their very manifest hatred of Britain for purely political purposes is not very clear, though it is well known that any move by the British authorities in Egypt, even if only giving advice which has been asked for, Is sufflcient to start the leaders indulging in the old cry of "British interference." Thus when Tbrashi was} forced to resign, a move welcomed. by the whole of the country outside Party circles, the fact that Sir Miles Lampson, as well as Nessim Pasha, had called on the King was cited as an example of the manner in which Britain was always interfer~ ing in Egyptian affairs. When the possibility of Ezypt being required ce-operate with Britain in face of the Italian threat to peace was bruited, Wafd leader emphasised that there would be no collaboration with Britain unless the people of Eaypt 0 willed and added "we shall not take part in a coming war unless we can do so on the basis of cooperation between equals." Defciendes in the Egyptians' military equipment was again laid at the door of British interference. Indeed the Wafdists have maintained a continual campaign of propaganda against Britain which has of late been intensified by the ready assistance which the Italians have been given.
The importance of all this is to be found in the significant statement of the Wafd leader, Nahas Pasha, to the effect that the Wafd would share with no other party the privilege of negotiating a treaty with Great Britain. Nahas Pasha, according to Mr. Eden. has been appointed to Preside over a body drawn from all parties to conduct negotiations with Britain. It may well be that Nahas Pasha has modified the stand Indicated in the statement referred to above, though it is hardly likely. He might on the other hand be, merely sparring for time, for the next elections are due in April and; it fs confidently expected by the Wafd that they will be returned to power with an overwhelming majority, being thus placed in a strong position to wrest more acceptable terms from Britain. It is doubtful whether the latter is prepared to go any further in the! matter of concessions now than it! panion in electoral adversity. was proposed to go in 1930 when The Government, returned to British contribution to the proposed power Treaty was not considered sufficient Renerous majority, suffered an vmaz~ Pressure brought to bear upon by the Fxyptians. British Interests ing set-back on the threshold of its in Egypt are such that the most jample protection has to be assured, not solely by the promises of the other contracting party to the proposer Treaty, but by the actual Presence of British might within the jeonfines of the Egyptian borders. That was recognized in the negotiations of 1930, when indeed they only failed of complete success by the Egyptian demand for the Sudan which Britain refused, Whether the parleys are in fact continued under the present all-party government, or delayed until after the elections in April, it is perfectly clear that the Egyptians will accept no less than was settled. in 1930, and will most probably demand more from Britain than they did in that year. The positions of Britain and Egypt with regard to the Sudan have undergone no major change and it is believed that the two countries are just as far apart in this regard as they were when negotiations were dropped in 1930, and there is every reason to believe that the Wafdists are by no means Prepared to accept all the other points as settled during the conversations of that year. The question then remains as to whether it will be possible to have the Treaty pre~ pared, signed and ratified before the elections are held, That will depend to a large extent upon the Sincerity of Nahas Pasha and the party he leads. They can, if they wish, prolong the conversations until the elections, which held unde the terms of the 1932 Constitution—which has recently been restored, after having been suspended a num. ber of times since its original adoptlon—ensure a system of direct election which it is generally conceded would give the Wafd a majority in the new parliament. There is a possibility that once in power again the party would adopt more responsible attitude towards Britain than it has displayed while in opposition, but judging from the utterances of Nahas Pasha and the behaviour of the more unruly elements of his party a very complete reversal of sentiment regarding Britain will be necessary if the relations between the two countries are to be placed on a happier foot= ing than they are at present,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.