The Outlook in Egypt The meeting of the Wafdist National
Congress in Cairo portends some new liveliness in political circles in Egypt. The Nessim Cabinet, which has been in office since November, consists of competent but undis- tinguished men, and while Nessim Pasha has secured the abrogation of the constitution of 1930, under which extensive powers were reserved to the King, he has shown no sign so far of conceding the demand of the Wafd for a restoration of the 1923 constitution, with its provision for responsible government and a demo- cratically-elected lower chamber. But Nessim came into office on a programme which definitely involved a limitation of the power of the Palace, and he remains on good terms with Nahas Pasha and other Wafdist leaders. Egypt is still being governed without a Parliament, and when one is elected the Wafdists will unquestionably be in a majority, as under free elections they always are. The question is under what form of constitution the election, whenever it comes, will be held. With the King ill and the High Commissioner, Sir Miles Lampson, just returned from leave, develop- ments of some interest may be looked for.
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