Evening star., 1924-11-30
The Story the Week Has Told

indefinitely extended at the option
OF the Sudan government.
Z. Agree to the wishes Of the
British government concerning pro-
lection of foreign interests in Egypt
as follows: The rules and conditions
governing the service and retirement
of foreign officials in the employment
of the Egyptian government and the
pension arrangements for foreign Of
ficials retired from the Egyptian
service to be revised to the salts
faction Of the British government.
Pending conclusion Of an agreement
between the british and Egyptian
governments regarding the protection
of foreign interests in Egypt; the
Egyptian government shall maintain
the posts of financial and judicial
advisers and shall preserve their
powers and privileges as contemplated
on the abolition of the protectorate
and shall respect the status and pre-
sent attribuuons of the European de-
partment Of the ministry OF the in
terror as already laid down by min
isterial order and give due weight to
such recomm ndations as the director
general of that department may make
upon matters falling within his sphere.
There has been a great deal of
harsh criticism Of the British note,
due l think mostly to ignorance of
certain facts. In February, 1922, the
British government by a voluntary
declaration terminated the British
protectorate over Egypt and recog-
nized Egypt as an Independent state.
But the independence thus bestowed
was in set terms limited and con-
ditioned by the declaration. Most i'm
portant of the limitations, Britain re-
tatned the right and obligation OF
safeguarding the persons rights and
property and other interests OF for
eigners Gncluding British) In Egypt
and the right to maintain In Egypt
the minimum garrisons required to
safeguard imperial communications
through the Suez Canal and into the
Sudan. Consummation Of the gift. Of
Independence, Qimited in this and
other specified respects) was con-
ditioned upon subscription by the
Egyptian government to an agree.
ment satisfactory to the British gov
ernment defining Anglo-Egyptian re-
lations under several heads, liking
the status Of foreign officials to be re-
tanned in the Egyptian service, pro-
viding for ample indemnity to those
to be discharged, etc. The status OF
the Sudan was not affected by the
declaration which, however. pledged
that the development OF the Sudan
should never threaten or interfere
with the existing water supply OF
Egypt or with that which might be
required to bring Egyptian ter
ritory under full cultivation.
In the light of the above the Brit
ish demands do not look SO harsh.
The gift Of independence has never
been consummated. The Egyptian gov
ernment has steadily evaded fulfill
ment of the conditions attached there
to and with ever-increasinE insolence
has challenged the British reserved
rights 1t is evident from the Brit
ish notes that the British government
will not recall the gift unless abso-
lutely forced to do SO, but will In
sist on immediate fulfllment OF the
conditions and will assert the re-
served rights to the extent neces-
sary.
AS to the Sudan, that IS another
story to be taken up later.
The demand concerning the Gezira
Is a little perplexing, but note the
pledge quoted above -
The government OF TaEhiut Pasha
.assented to the first four demands
and paid the fine, but rejected the
other demands, and the Egyptian