Evening star., 1928-04-30
BRITISH WARSH|PS
SAIL AS EGYPT IS
GWEN Ill LTIMATUM
ENGLAND Demands Immediate
Withdrawal of Bill ReCog-
nizing Public Meetings.
CRISIS DECLARED GRAVE
If REPLY is UNFAV0RABLE
Drastic Action Is Threatened-An-
swer Must Be Delivered by z
P. NJ May 2.
Rr the Associated Press.

Ry the Associated Press.
LONDON, April S0.-Several British
warships and cruisers sailed this morn
ing from Malta for Egypt in connection
with an Anglo Egyptian crisis which
revolves around the Egyptian public as
semelies bill.
The admiralty announced today that
the battleShips Warspire and Valiant
and the cruisers Ceres, Calypso and
Caledon left Malta today for an un-
known destination under command of
Vice Admiral J. D. Kelly.
Destination Given as COrinth.
While early advices from Malta gave
Egypt as the destination Of the British
warShips sailing from that place, their
Official destination was later given out
from Malta as Corinth.
The admiralty announcement in Lon
don left their destination undiScloSed,
but the general assumption is that the
war vessels are making their way into
the eastern Mediterranean as precau-
tionary measure, with view TO their
entering Egyptian waters in case OF
non compliance by Egypt With the Brit
ish demands
Press dispatches from Malta say that
other vessels of the feet and a regi-
ment of troops are practically standing
by also 10 proceed to Egypt If necessary,
Ultimatum Handed Last Night.
The Egyptian government: has until
z pm May 10 comply with the Brit
ish demand that the bin for recognition
CT public meetings and demonstrations
be Withdrawn Sir Austen Chamberlain.
the foreign secretary. IN making this
announcement IN the House Of Com
mons today said that Lord Lloyd. the
British high commissioner. on instruc-
ton from the British government, had
handed to the Egyptian premier final
warning last evening.
Bin Must Be Killed.
The British note requests the premier,
as head Of the Egyptian government,
immediately TO take the necessary steps
TO prevent the public assemblies bill
from becoming law. and also request
ing him 70 give categorical assurance In
writing that the measure would not be !
proceeded with
Should this assurance not reach him
before pm May 2 the British gov
eminent would consider itself free %
seem to require.
Comdr. Kenworthy asked If there was
any truth In the statement made this
morning that vessels Of the feet had
been ordered to Egypt from Malta.
The foreign secretary replied that he
should prefer TO add nothing to the
statement he had Just made.
Situation Declared Grave.
The situation today was grave
and frsught with serious possibilities,
although in official circles in London
il was thought that the difficulties
were not insIrmounfable and the sky
might clear suddenly. There was no
effort, however. 70 minimize the Seri-
BUSINESS Of the crisis.
II was recalled today that In 1924
Great Britain applied heavy sanctions
after the assassination Of Sirdar Stack.
including a large indemnity and oc-
cupation Of the customs houses IN
Alexandria The parliamentary regime
was suspended for 10 months
The Egyptian stand concerning the
assemblies bill is regarded as another
step IN the Egyptian campaign for abb
Soiute independence. The assemblies
bill In effect permits all sorts Of pub
lie assemblies and prohibits the police
from interfering unless disorders have
already started Much bioodshed has
resulted from assemblies in the past.
Including the deaths Of foreigners. The
British attitude Is that the proposed
bin should not be allowed passage.
Sanctions Again Threatened.
II was stated that the British did not
mention sanctions in their note 70 Egypt
as penalty for Egypt'6 refusal 70 COM
ply. bat iD well informed circles the
opinion was expressed that sanctions
would be applied If the Egyptians we're
oo5urzte.
II remained TO be seen whether the
sending Of warghips from Malta could
be taken as a warning Of such sane
tons
Egypt, originally part Of the Turkish
Empire. was declared British protec-
torate on December 10. 1914. as an out
growth Of the World War The pr0tec-
torate terminated In 1922 with British
declaration setting forth the intention
Of the British government. This deela~
ration. which has played an extremely
important part IN the relations between
Egypt and Great Britain. briefly con-
tainS the following provisions:
Three Provisions.
"g) The British protectorate over
Egypt wae terminated and Egypt was
declared 10 be ar independent sovereign
state.
"f2) As soon as the Egyptian govern
Haent should pass an act of indemnity
martial Law as proclaimed In 1914 Was
o. be withdrawn
"f3) the following matters are abs0~
lWteiy reserved 70 the discretion 0f his
ma teSty's government until such time
IS u may be possible by free discussion
sBc friendly accommodation Of both
sides ~ conclude agreements IN regard
thereto between his ma aJegtyg govern
nent snc the government ~ Egypt:
faB the security of the communications
81 the British empire In Egypt. fb) the
defense " Egypt against all fore Ign ag~
ereaSlQn ~ interference direct or indi~
rect, fcJ the protection VI foreign resi-
dents IN Egypt and the protection Of
gniDoTlties (dj the Sudan. Pending the