Great Britain and Egypt Such difficulties as have arisen in
the conversations between Great Britain and Egypt appear to be due to differences in Whitehall, not in Cairo. The question at issue is the degree of military security to be insisted on by Sir Miles Lampoon. In regard to that it cannot he too strongly emphasised that the only effective security for British communications is a friendly and satisfied Egypt. To maintain, or claim the right to maintain, an excessive British force in Egypt is to put the country visibly under British military domination. To that the Egyptian delegation, particularly with a Wafd Government in power, would never agree. The Egyptians have so far shown themselves very reasonable in negotiation. In relation to the outer world their interests and ours are identical. Under the treaty of alliance which it is hoped may be concluded they can, and no doubt will, in the face of external danger invite British reinforcements. To risk the whole agreement by pitching our military demands too high would he a fatally shortsighted policy. In view of the general situation in the Mediterranean an Anglo-Egyptian agree- ment, both reflecting and stimulating the friendly rela- tions between the two countries, is an essential condition of stability in the Near East.
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