Omaha daily bee., 1906-07-06
CRISIS IN E ,YPTIAN AFFAIRS
Earl Grey Says Attacks on British Officers
Were Prompted by Fanatioal Spirit
STRENGTHENING OF GARRISON NECESSARY
Unless Lord CrOmer is EnerEeticHlly
supported Situation May Develop
that win Require stern
Measures,

LONDON, July 5.-Parliament and the
country we're given surprise tonight hy
a sensational speech by Sir Edward Grey
the foreign secretary, on the situation IN
Egypt. An interesting debate on foreign
affairs had been anticipated when the
House of Commons took up the foreign
estimates but on account Of Russia and
tho Congo rather than Egypt. other sub
jects, however, were temporarily shelved
when the house realized the momentous
character Of Sir Edward Grey's deliver
ance with regard to Egypt
Speaking in a solemn tone and amid
tense silence. the minister declared that
the recent attacks on British officers at
Tantab were not accidental, but deliber-
ate manifestation Of the fanatical spirit
which had necessitated the strengthening
OF the garrison in Egypt, and declared
that unless the authority Of Lord Cromer
and the Egyptian government is strongly
upheld. II might lead 10 a situation re-
uuiring the adoption of stern measures
Debate on Foreign Estimates.
In the course Of the consideration Of the
! foreign estimates by the House OF Com
mons today several members offered criti-
cisms, especially urging that feet be
not sent to Cronstadt.
John Dillon, nationalist, strongly de-
nounced what he termed the brutal bar
barism Of foggings and executions in
Egypt, accusing Sir Edward Grey. the for
| eign secretary, Of desire to cloak the
/ affair
! Sir Edward. in a general reply, stated
/ that all foreign relations were friendly
With regard TO the Egyptian affairs, he
accepted fun responsibility and pointed out
that danger might accrue, when dealing
with eastern peoples, through discussions
OF this kind
Earl Grey's MOmeBtOus Statement.
The secretary proceeded to refer to the
local growth OF fanatical feeling in Egypt
and throughout North Africa recently,
which might necessitate even further meas
ures to protect Europeans in Egypt and,
speaking in a solemn manner, said
As things are now, / say deliberately
and with full sense Of responsibility, that
IL Parliament does nothing at this mo-
ment you will come face to face with a
very serious situation, for should fanati-
cism get the better of constituted authority
there might arise the necessity for extreme
measures"
Dealing with the Congo question the
foreign secretary said he distrusted the
proposed reforms, because the system was
wrong. He disliked trading companies and
/
was in the system under which the state it,
self was trading company and monopo-
list companies held administrative power
II others would join Great Britain in insist
ing on reformsy the government would vel.
come them. II the Congo state talked OF
its rights, Sir Edward said, Great Britain
also had rights. The question of the
reservation of enormous armies for private
property must be dealt with, and IL any
dispute arose there was The Hague tribunal
He believed it would be beneficial TO re.
sumo British consular Jurisdiction, but II
would be discouraging Belgium from taking
over the Congo government and, therefore
he thought, the government should wait
but they could not wait forever.
With regard TO the proposed visit of a
British feet to Cronstadt the foreign secre
tary said he felt assured that the centra
government OF Russia was neither awar,
OF nor had connived at the recent unfortun,
ate occurrences. No interference from the
outside would strengthen reform party
but rather the Teactionaries or revolution
ists.
As British fleet was in the Baltic las
year and had not visited Russian ports
it would be remarkable IL a fleet should
not do 30 this year. He hoped the usua
civilties would be observed. The fee
would go entirely without reference t,
Russian internal affairs. II would be i'm
possible to make change now withou
giving rise to the suspicion that Grea
Britain was taking sides The visit woult
be in friendly spirit TO pay compliment
TO Emperor Nicholas and the Russian ma
tion.
Sir Edward said he could not imagin
the Russian Parliament interpreting tn
visit as taking sides