Dictator in Democracy's Name

In a few days Strongman General Mohammed Naguib would mark six months in power; Cairenes looked forward to three days of carnival and rejoicing. But in quiet corners at cocktail parties and intimate dinners of "informed circles," the whisper went: "Stick around, this thing isn't over yet. There are more fireworks to come."

They came with dramatic suddenness. A radio voice asked listeners to stand by for an important announcement. A few minutes later, Egypt resounded to Naguib's words, read by a cabinet minister: "I declare the abolition of all political parties and the confiscation of their funds . . . I declare the start of a transitional period of three years which will enable us to build on a sound, democratic and constitutional regime. As of today I will allow no tampering with the nation's interests." Then the government shut down seven pro-Communist publications, closed the offices of 22 banned political parties, and arrested 25 army officers and 12 civilian bigwigs "as a security precaution."

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