Three Years On
EGYPT'S decision to resume diplomatic rela- tions with this country is a reward for the British Government's good behaviour during the last few months. It has done nothing and it has done it quite well--a policy of non-intervention at present is undoubtedly the right one. Three years after the invasion of Egypt in 1882 Mr. Gladstone was expressing public regret for what he had done, and it is a pity that Mr. Macmillan has not similarly brought himself to admit in public that Suez was a disgraceful act of folly: such a state- ment of the obvious would do untold good to Anglo-Egyptian relations. President Nasser de- serves credit for not having demanded such a statement and for treating the Prime Minister's attempts to excuse Suez with the contempt they deserved by ignoring them; Mr. Macmillan de- ' serves credit for having adopted a sensible policy, and for refusing to allow his words to influence his actions.
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