Evening star., 1942-02-09
Furry in Egypt

ROmmelS surprising comeback III
Libya may be merely the beginning
Of an Axis offensive which will en-
brace both North Africa and the
Asiatic Near East. The equivocal
attitude of the Vichy government,
the "anti-British" riots at Tangier
in the Spanish Moroccan zone, and
Axis strategic moves throughout
the Mediterranean are outstanding
evidences Of Axis pressure in what
may soon become a major theater
of warfare. That this pressure is as
much diplomatic as it is military
becomes clear by what is happening
in Egypt.
Egypt undoubtedly is the pivotal
country of the Near East. Geograph-
ically and culturally, 1t is the con-
Meeting link between Africa and
Asia, while the Suez Canal similarly
connects the Mediterranean Sea
with the ocean highways to the Mid
die and Far East. Egypt, with the
canal and the splendid harbor of
Alexandria, is the base of British
power in that part of the world, and
is therefore often regarded as part
and parcel of Britain's imperial
structure in its fight against the
Axis. That, however, is not the case.
Egypt is legally an independent, SOW
ereign state, and Britain's position
there is regulated by treaty rights
enabling it to use the country's har-
bors, airports and communications in
wartime. But Egypt itself occupies
a highly anomalous position in the
present conflict. Though it serves
as a British base Of operations and
has broken relations with the Axis
powers, 1t has never declared war
against them. Twice Axis armies
have invaded its territory, but the
Egyptian Army has stood aloof.
Furthermore, it has been rather OBJ
vious that this peculiar sort Of neu-
trality is approved by the bulk Of the
Egyptian people. Tactful manage
ment Of a reluctant and occasionally
recalcitrant Egypt has been one of
the most delicate tasks Of British
diplomacy.
Egyptian recalcitrance has waxed
and waned according to the prevail
ing strategic situation. Italian in
fluence has always been strong there,
and when Fascist armies crossed the
border in the critical autumn OF
1910, a cabinet crisis arose over Brit
ish demands that the Egyptian gov
eminent break relations with the
invader. The Nationalist party,
known as the Wafd, representing the
Egyptian masses and traditionally
hostile to British influence, refused
to enter any cabinet pledged to a
belligerent policy; so regular parlia-
mentary government had to be su-
perseded by "non-party' cabinets
appointed by the King and accept
able to Britain. A second political
crisis with anti-British implications
occurred when General Rommel re-
conquered Libya in the spring of
1941 and Axis troops again stood on
Egyptian soil. Now a third crisis
has arisen, timed with Rommel's re-
newed drive. And 1t is significant
that this political flareup involves
the crown.
The crisis began when young King
Farouk protested at the cabinets
action in breaking relations with the
Vichy government Of France. The
cabinet, headed by HusSein PaSha
Sirry, had taken Office with British
approval last year and represented
a policy of cordial cooperation with
Britain, though within the limits OF
"non-belligerency." The cabinets
action against Vichy probably was
taken at Britain's suggestion. But
sKlng Farouk declared this an in
fringement Of the royal prerogative,
and the cabinet thereupon resigned.
A stop-gap administration has
succeeded, headed by Nahas Pasha,
who declares that Egypt will live up
to the Anglo-Egyptian alliance
treaty, but will endeavor to spare
Egypt the horrors of war" Simul-
taneously, King Farouk dissolved
Parliament and decreed a general
election, thereby seeking a verdict
Of the people. These events have
caused much unfavorable comment
in the British press, with sharp
criticism of the King and his ad-
visers. Egypt clearly remains a
problem which needs cautious han