Lord Curzon in the House of Lords on Tuesday made
a firm and lucid statement concerning Egypt. He reminded all con- cerned that the British Protectorate, accepted by the Powers, was an established fact. The British Empire must remain responsible for Egypt, which commanded the highway to India, and which adjoined Palestine, " for which it seems likely that a special responsibility will before long be placed on our shoulders." The political connexion between Egypt and Turkey was at an end. Egypt could not stand alone, but Lord Curzon expressed the belief that the Egyptians might gradually take a larger part in the government. The Commission under Lord Milner was to explore the ground, not to impose a ready-made Constitution. It would also inquire into the causes of diacontent The Egyptian Nationalists are very unpractical people, but they would save themselves trouble if they recognized that the British policy, as stated by Lord Curzon, will not be affected either by riot or by rhetoric.
