EGYPT'S DE VALERA

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 12, 15 January 1924, Page 4

EGYPT'S DE VALERA

The recent elections in Egypt have resulted in an overwhelming victory for Zaghlul F_sha. This means that the party which insists on the complete withdrawal of Britain from Egypt will now control the country, and a situation full of grave possibilities of peril is thereby created. Zaghlul Pasha, it may be re- ! membered. was deported in 1921 as a seditious agitator, but when the agreement between Britain and Kgypt was arranged in March. 1922. it was considered that he might safely be allowed to return. But those who hoped or believed that Zaghlul would have been ; softened by exile were speedily disappointed. He at once recommenced his i campaign against Britain, not only ; denouncing the British Government, but more particularly overwhelming with invective and abuse bis political opponents who had arranged the compromise that lias given Kgypt virtual freedom and independence. More than this, he demanded that all true patriots and Nationalists should repudiate the agreement of February. 1922. by which the sultanate became a kingdom, martial law was abolished, a general amnesty was arranged, and the British protectorate and British officials were formally withdrawn. It is hardly likely that Britain will acquiesce tamely in such a humiliation as Zaghlul now desires to inflict upon her. But apparently all considerations that common sense or political wisdom might sug.est arc thrown away upon him, and. like Tie Valera in Ireland, he is prepared to sacrifice utterly the immense advantages that his country has secured rather than bate one jot of his claim to complete theoretical independence. A curious commentary this on Egypt's alleged fitness and readiness for self-government.