Evening star., 1946-05-07
British Proposal
Hit by Churchill
Plan to Withdraw
Armed Forces Giver.
Commons by Att|ee
BY the Associated Press


LONDON, May 7.-Great Brit
ain proposed today to withdraw
its armed forces from Egypt,
provoking a challenge in Com
mons from Conservative Leader
Winston Churchill, who termed
the proposal "one of the most
momentous I have heard in the
House."
The British proposal, if carried
through, would intrust to Egyptian
forces the defense of a strategic
area on the lifeline of the empire
which British troops have occupied
since 1882
In Cairo the British Embassy said
the offer was preliminary to nego-
tlatlons for revision of the 1886
Anglo-Egyptian treaty of alliance.
Prime Minister Attlee yielded to
Mr.. Churchill's insistence on i'm
mediate debate" which was fixed for
7 pm. q pm. EDIT.
Announced by Attlee.
Mr.. Attlee announced the Labor
governments decision briefly, as
serting that Great Britain intends
to carry on negotiations for treaty
revision with Egypt "as between two
equal nations"
Mr.. Churchill was interrupted by
an uproar from the Labor benches
when he declared that after go
years of diplomacy and administra-
ton :"
Communist Philip Piratin shouted
Long enough!"
Mr.. Churchill then finished his
sentence: 80 p" things built up with
great labor are cast away with great
shame and folly"
Under questioning by the wartime
Prime Minister, Mr.. Attlee said the
announcement did not affect the
Anglo Egyptian Sudan. He said
the Sudan was "a different matter
altogether"
Churchills Voice Quivers.
Mr.. Churchill's voice quivered with
anger as he demanded immediate
debate. All the opposition members
rose together to support the demand
Anthony Eden, who was foreign
secretary when the 1886 treaty of
alliance was signed, said that under
the treaty Egypt and Britain to
gether assumed responsibility for the
defense Of Egypt and the Suez
Canal"
How can that be reconciled with
asked.
Mr.. Attlee replied that British ne
gotiators were "endeavoring to work
out an alliance with plans for
the defense of this area"
Communist William GALLAGHER
said most people would welcome the
Governments statement that "the
only opposition is by few ancient
Victorian Tories"
Mr.. Eden was scheduled to open
the night debate.
The British proposal was an
nounced in Cairo with the concur.
renee OF Egyptian Premier Ismail
Sidky Pasha. The statement said
arrangements a1< to be made by the
Egyptian government to make pos
slble in time of war or imminent
threat of war mutual assistance In
accord with the treaty.
A withdrawal from Egypt woulc
remove the British forces nearest
the Suez Canal, a link in the Brit.
lsh supply line to India, Australia
Malaga and New Zealand. Other
British forces, however. are sta
toned north and east of the canal
IN Palestine, Transjordan and Iraq
These forces include all branches
OF the services in Palestine. per-
sonnel serving with the Arab Legion,
IN Transjordan and Raj bases west
OF the Euphrates River in Irao.
The British Embassy said stages
and the date for completion of the
withdrawal would be settled b1
negotiation. The movement is ex.
pected to start Thursday and to be
completed within two weeks.
Approved by Lord Stansgate.
1T is the settled policy of hi.
MaJesty's government in the United
Kingdom to consolidate their ALI.
ance with Egypt as one between two
equal nations having interests ir
(See EGYPT. Page A-30