The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1919-12-29
CONSTITUTION
FOR EGYPT IS
BRITISH PLAN


statement made by Earl Curzon. Bri.
tish Minister OF Foreign Affairs
which has been received here, OBJ.
jects OF the Miner Mission which
goes to Egypt to arrange the pro-
posed new government are described
in the statement,
The British Foreign Secretary an
nounces that II is the intention OF tho
British government to establish the
largest measure OF self-government
for which Egypt Is believed capable
at this time. He states that the NIL.
ner Mission Is not authorized to i'm
pose a constitution on, Egypt but
rather to study the situation and con.
fer with the native leaders,
In part. Earl Curzons statement
Il llows:
'"It was in 1914 after We had been
compelled to declare war upon Tur-
key that the British protectorate ov-
Z.
teing intended or indeed regarded at
the time as a high-handed act. aim
ed at the suppression OF Egyptian
liberties. il was decided upon by Mr.,
Asquiths government as much mil
der and more generous policy than
that of annexation, which at that
time was strongly advocated by some.
Cyprus. which had long been admin.
iste red by the Colonial office as part
.: the British Empire. was annexed.
But the opportunity of incorporating
Egypt in the Empire was deliberate
ly, and | think, wisely rejected be-
cause II was intended. in n wide lati-
I; de of opportunity which the form
ulae OF n protectorate affords to give
free scope to the political aspirations
crd the self-governing capacities OF
the Egyptian people.
IL need hardly elaborate the reas.
ons for which Great Britain is COM
pelied 20 interest herself in the poll
tical fortunes OF Egypt, and is unable
to give any encouragement to the
claim OF complete national independ-
ence. Quite apart from the fact that
Egypt. II left to stand alone. could
neither protect her frontiers against
external aggression nor guarantee n
strong or impartial government at
home, her geographical position at
the gate of Palestine. at the doorway
OF Africa and the high road to India
renders 1t impossible that the British
Empire with any regard to its own
security and conditions should wash
its hands of the responsibility for
Egypt.
Egypt is OF course primarily an
Egyptian interest. the good govern
ment and the prosperity and happin-
ess of its people are the highest con.
sideration. But 1t is also a British
interest of capital Importance and
suspect that there are few who would
deny that II Is also world interest,
and that the world interest is best
secured by leaving Egypt under the
aegis of a great civilized power.
But within these boundaries Is a
wide and ample field in which the
Egyptians are invited to participate,
oDd ,,uut au ,fpna paguaa m nartici
pate in an ever increasing degree in
the government of their country. We
recognize the Legitimacy of these as
pirations. We desire to provide for
their satisfaction. The progressive de-
OF self-governing institu-
tions in Egypt Is an ideal in which
they may share with us and we with
them. 1t is not to be thought Of that
a race like the Egyptians possessing
in its upper ranks a high culture and
memories should be content
with role Of passive subordlnatiOn
in 'the administration of their coun-
try. ut will be the object Of Lord
Miner and his colleagues, in consul
tation with the Sultan and his min
isters and representative Egyptians
of all classes, to devise the details Of
a constitution by which all these par
ties shall be able in their several
spheres and in an increasing degree
10 cooperate in the management of
Egyptian affairs. British assistance
and British guidance will still be re-
luired. Nor will any of those who
have followed the history of Egypt |
Tor the last forty years and seen the
advance that has been
made under our auspices question
he necessity Of this supervision.
Lord Miners mission is not go
ng out to Egypt with constitution
n its pocket 1t intends to consult
III parties before it even forms an
.af ITp IN i'm