EGYPT AND THE SUDAN.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sta,—The rectification of frontier near Sollum demanded by Italy—not in itself a subject of grave importance, being merely a protection against smuggling desired by the Tripoli administration—illustrates the real dangers arising from inexperienced handling by raw politicians at Cairo of delicate international affairs affecting the destinies of Egypt. Judging from the reports received from the Delta during the past two years, one manifest result of the grant of independent government has been the unpicking, stitch by stitch, of the solid work of Lord Cromer and his laborious staff, and the painful fact that paralysis and nepotism are creeping into the provincial administration of Egypt.
Not the least dangerous sign of the times is the silence of lawyers and other educated and intelligent residents in Cairo, Alexandria and Tantah (many of whom are graduates of British Universities) who have remained passive spectators of an =scrupulous and mendacious propaganda of intimida- tion in the Sudan which must inevitably defeat the aim of its promoters. Egyptian journalists, senators and deputies are demanding the extinction of British control in the Sudan and the repudiation of the partnership between Great Britain and Egypt which is the essence of the solemn pact known as the Anglo-Egyptian Convention of 1899 and was designed by Lord Cromer for the security of the Delta from invasion and for the progress and civilization of the Sudan.
All who have read the moving record of Father Ohrwalder, that brave Austrian priest who endured ten years' captivity in the Mandi's camp, and the powerful appeals of Cardinal Lavigcrie, the intrepid French ecclesiastic, will appreciate the horrors which would assuredly follow the withdrawal of British controllers in Khartum, Kordofan and Suakin, who, patiently and quietly, for twenty-five years have raised a memorial to the glorious martyrdom of General. Gordon and -his comrades, and justified by their persevering labours the reconquest of the Sudan by the courage and wisdom of Lord Kitchener and Sir Reginald Wingate and the splendid achievements of the Egyptian troops organized and led by British soldiers.—I am, Sir, &c., EDWARD ATEIN. 1 Paper Buildings, Temple, E.C. 4.
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