The papers of Wednesday announced that the sentence of death
on Aziz Ali, el Masri, had been commuted to fifteen years' penal servitude. A further commutation seems to be possible. But nothing short of an honourable acquittal can satisfy Egyptian sentiment. Egyptians are intensely proud of the man who led the Arab resistance to the Italian invaders after Enver Pasha had returned to Turkey. And they are outraged at the prospect of his being condemned to ignominy and suffering for having by his gallantry committed the offence of eicitiug the jealousy of Enver Pasha. At least, if that is not the real reason of Aziz Ali's condemnation,
they are not conscious of any other. Technically, no doubt, Aziz All is responsible to the Sultan, and incurred the penalty of disobedience. But in practice every Egyptian knows lima Egyptians do not look to the Sultan for help, justice, or governance. For those things they look to Great Britain. We cannot help feeling that this is a case in which the British Government should rise superior to technicalities and demand the release of a brave and deservedly admired man. The Young Turks by condemning such a man are unnecessarily and perversely provoking the outlying Moslem sentiment., which it is most important for them to keep on their aide.
