Evening star., 1947-10-03
By John C.. Henry


CAIRO, Egypt (By MaiD Reaction ranging
from slightly puzzled disappointment to Bit
ter antagonism is being displayed in this
country today toward Americans and the
United States Government.
The causes for this feeling are two, namely,
the United States support for the British posi-
ton with regard to the Sudan and evacuation
of troops from Egypt proper and the American
support thus far given to the Zionist claims in
Palestine.
\ Logically or otherwise many Egyptians in
governmental, journalistic and comparably re-
sponsible circles expected from the United
States greater degree Of sympathy for and
understanding of the Egyptian side on these
two issues. During the war they came to like
Americans, partly for individual and personal
reasons and partly because our own nonim-
perialistic conduct led them to believe they
had found new ally in their resistance to con-
tinued British domination Even today they
cite our liberation Of the Philippines as con-
trast to our support of the British position with
regard to the Anglo Egyptian Treaty of 1886.
Many at the highest level who obviously would
prefer to continue their personal and official
friendship toward the United States are still
hopeful that our policy particularly in the
Anglo-E Egyptian dispute will undergo change.
One high ranking government spokesman and
one Egyptian newspaper editor expressed the
opinion to me that If the United States would
take the initiative in persuading the British to
evacuate their troops from the Suez area the
continuance of the nglo-Egyptian condomin-
ium in the Sudan could then be compromised.
Actually they pointed out, such a course of
action would not abrogate the Treaty Of 1886
since that agreement does not make manda-
tory the presence of British troops in Egypt.
It would, instead, enable the Egyptian gov
ernment to ''save face" and to concentrate on
their internal political and economic problems.
The alternative, according to their expressed
fears, is to drive the Egyptian people further
toward friendship with Russia, which already
has supported their position in the British dis
pute, and to strengthen the political setting
for substantial Communist movement in the
Nile country.
Egypt Depends on Imports.
Egypt is not a self-supporting country"
government spokesman said to me. 1--WE have
traditionally depended in large degree upon our
economic relationship with Britain. We should
continue to depend upon them or upon you for
our economic prosperity. But we have our pride
and 1t is difficult to maintain that in the face
of continued occupation of our country by
foreign troops If the British would evacuate
their garrison of 10000 men from the Suez
area there would be an immediate strengthen
ing of pro-British sentiment here. And If
another war should threaten we would be the
first to invite them back. I would hate to be
behind the iron curtain"
More extreme spokesmen outside government
circles feel equally disturbed at the threat of
Russian influence although even the most left
LIST of them feel that as of today the Commu-
mist movement is more sporadic and trouble
some than it is substantially dangerous.
One editor spoke his conviction that United
States foreign policy in the Middle East at
least is merely the tail to the British kite and
that there has been agreement between the