Letters to the Editor
ANGLO-EGYPTIAN NEGOTIATIONS [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—The Times of July 29th has published a letter from Mr. Amery, in which he criticizes the Government and defends Lord Lloyd. During the Sarwat-Chamberlain negotiations there were three members of the Cabinet who threatened to resign if Sir Austen gave any further concessions to the Egyptian Prime Minister. Who were these three ? Churchill, Amery, Joynson-Hicks ? Is it to be wondered at that the Conservative Party loses its hold on the country if it allows itself to be led by such retrogressive elements ? Imperial interests will not be best served by force, but by justice and conciliation.
Have these three gentlemen forgotten under what conditions England entered Egypt in 1882, and what definite assurances were given by the British Governments at that date and again during the European War ? Is the fulfilment of a promise of no meaning and of no value to these gentlemen ? The Cairo correspondent of the Times has harped upon the consternation of the European communities in Egypt. But what commu- nity—grown rich (and very rich) under privileges such as the Capitulations—would display eagerness to yield a privilege which, in the language of the racecourse, gives it "two stone in hand." Irrespective of " Party," is the British nation to honour its pledges or not ?—I am, Sir, &c., A CONSERVATIVE.
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