Election

Figures from Egypt on the general election just held show that ex-Premier Zaghlul Pasha just missed winning a remarkable victory. His party, the Nationalist, won 101 of the 215 seats, but the returns were not complete.

The combined anti-Zaghlulist Parties also secured 101 seats; and of the 13 remaining seats, not more than two were expected to go to the Zaghlulists. This will then give the present Premier, Ahmed Ziwar Pasha, the smallest of majorities, and thus enable him to remain in power.

The main issue of the election was essentially between the Zaghlulists and the anti-Zaghlulists.

Ex-Premier Zaghlul, 75 years of age, is undoubtedly the most powerful man in Egypt. His declared policy is to secure for Egypt absolute independence-- that is, to end British control of Egypt's foreign affairs, to insist upon the withdrawal of British financial advisors and British troops on Egyptian territory, to transfer from the British the right to protect foreign minorities and to claim sole right of protecting the Suez Canal. Furthermore, he would abolish the Anglo-Egyptian condominion in the Sudan and make that country an integral part of Egypt wholly under Egyptian rule.

All of these policies run counter to British policy in Egypt for vital and obvious reasons. Zaghlul Pasha would probably, if elected, have hesitated to put any of his policies into effect, for the simple reason that to do so could mean only war with Britain. But as Premier he would have been persona nan grata to the London Government, because, as before, he would undoubtedly carry on propaganda through his Nationalist organization, the Wadf, against the "usurper" of Egyptian rights.

Another aspect of the case concerns King Fuad, who, by appointing Ziwar Pasha Premier last Autumn, definitely ranged himself against Zaghlul, whom he has never liked. According to current report in Cairo, Zaghlul intended to depose the monarchy and declare Egypt a republic in the event that he received a majority of the votes in the past election.

With Ziwar Pasha likely to remain in power, Egyptian policy will endeavor to solve the present knotty problems by friendly methods, while recognizing Britain's right to protect the Suez Canal, "the Gateway to India" and loyally cooperating in the joint administration of the Sudan.