War & Wait

Everybody knew how the Dominions and the colonies would take it. Nobody was surprised that Australia and New Zealand last week declared war on Germany, called up reservists, promised Britain "full support." That 50 Indian potentates promised to send troops and resources, that the Fiji Islands (pop. 29,000) pledged material assistance--what did this mean except that the British Empire was acting as it always acted in a crisis?

But what about Egypt, neither dominion nor colony, nor full-fledged independency? Strategically crucial in Mediterranean naval plans (see p. 22), a sovereign power that recognizes Britain's special interest in the Suez Canal Zone, Egypt is legally no more than an ally of Britain. This week, Egypt demonstrated how an ally could act to give support.

Biggest factor in Mediterranean affairs is Italy's future policy. Nobody knows it better than astute Ali Maher Pasha (long an adviser of King Farouk), who became Egypt's Premier three weeks ago. Many an anxious Briton had urged that, if Italy is to be neutral, she be forced to give some token to insure neutrality.

Ali Maher Pasha moved with no such heavy steps. Adjoining Egypt is rich Italian Libya, with 120,000 troops. Last week, after Benito Mussolini proclaimed Italian neutrality, these troops stepped back from the Egyptian frontiers. Promptly the Egyptian Cabinet met, took the first step toward declaring war on Germany by breaking off diplomatic relations. If Benito Mussolini was playing Adolf Hitler's game by waiting, Ali Maher Pasha wanted to find it out. If Italy took no stand in this attack on her Axis partner, her intentions would be that much clearer. Ali Maher Pasha settled back to war with Germany, wait with Italy.

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