New-York tribune., 1921-11-27

to the present discussions, DR.. Hamsa
explained that there are only two
groups in Egypt those who stand for
settlement on the basis of free al
lance with Britain and the National
party. Tho latter is opposed to any
retention of British troops in Egypt
and to any military alliance with this
country. The former group, accord
ing to DR.. Hamsa. includes both Zagh-
lul and his followers and ABLY and
his followers, between whom there is
no difference whatever as to program,
but only as to method. A clear proof
Of the trend Of opinion on the per-
sonal issue, said DR.. Hamsa, was to be
found in the fact that Of seventeen
members OF Zaghlul's original delega-
tion thirteen are now supporters OF
ABLY, and "no satisfactory arrange
ment concluded by ABLY could be re-
pudiated by Zaghlul."
Assuming this view to be correct,
much, if not everything, depends upon
the definition Of the word "satisfac-
tory" On the main principles OF the
treaty which is to take the place OF
the protectorate agreement already has
been reached. The whole basis of the
proposed treaty is that Egypt is to be
independent, in fact as we'll as in
name, subject to the right of Britain
to guard her imperial communications
through the Suez Canal. Agreement
L. Lo1 -
the protectorate, Egyptian diplomatic
representation abroad, the withdrawal
of British officials and guaranty of
British non-interserence in Egypt's in
ternal affairs.
Other contentious issues have been
left for the moment. The question of
the extra territorial rights of foreign
ers in Egypt at present controlled by
what are called the capitulations-the
articles adopted at the outset Of the
British ocupation- been settled by
leaving it to Egypt, as free state, to
negotiate subsequent notifications with
the powers concerned. Similarly the
question of the status of the Sudan
has been left over. Egypt claims the
ownership of this territory, but even
the most liberal British opinion is op-
posed to conceding q claim which in
point Of legitimacy is no better than
the British claim. while British admin
istration in the Sudan has admittedly
been enlightened, which there is no
guaranty than Egyptian administration |
would be.
Control of Suez Canal /.
Serious Crux in Negotiations 7
: The really serious crux in. the nego-
tiations concerns the control Of the
Suez Canal. British interests here are
admitted by almost the most extreme
Egyptians. But what ought this nee
essary reservation upon the absolute
sovereignty OF Egypt mean in prac-
tice?
There is no doubt about what Egyp-
tians have always understood guarding
British imperial communications to
mean. They have understood it to mean
the retention Of an adequate British
force in limited zone around the
canal. The one thing ABLY Pasha can
not allow it to mean is the appearance
of continued military occupation Of
Egypt. That is the test which the
simplest and least extreme Of Egyp-
tians can and will apply. Does the new
status Of Egypt make an end of the
occupation? If British garrison re-
mains in Cairo, then, it will be argued,
plainly independence is ar idle word,
and even the most modest autonomy
an illusion. If ABLY Pasha consented
to such an arrangement he certainly
would be repudiated as ruth1essly by
moderates as extremists.
But it is precisely on this point that
the negotiations have reached an ap-
parent impasse. While the Egyptians
will not agree that any country can
be independent in which foreign troops
are encamped without the permission
OF the native authorities, the British
War Office will not agree to the dis
position Of the troops on the Palestine
boundary as desired by the Egyptians.
1t insists not only on force on the
canal banks, but also on garrisons at
certain points in the interior as we'll.
In this attitude the War Office is sup
ported by Lord Curzon, the Foreign
Secretary, though nobody has yet sug-
gested from what quarter, now that
Turkey as a power is crippled, any in1-
mediate danger to the canal is to
come.
"If ABLY pasha can carry his pro-
gram" says DR.. Hamsa, call will go
we'll IN Egypt. If he fails he will be
bound to break off the negotiations,
and in that case he will go home to
find all Egypt at his back" The break
| down of the negotiations would mean
resumption certainly Of passive, and
probably of active, resistance to the
present anomalous British regime in
Egypt. 1t would mean an end to all
the hopes entertained since the Miner
Commission reported of secure and
honorable extrication Of Britain from
her half-century's sntanglement in
Egypt, and the indefinite maintenance
OF large army Of occupation.
| The seriousness of such situation
Is perhaps the best guarantee that it
l will nor ffnalIx ho ra~c,,+tn5 a., -.