Acumen

Acumen

The whole of Egypt was stirred by reports, originating in the Italian press, that the British Government had practically decided to depose King Fuad and replace him with ex-Khedive Abbas Hilmy, who was deposed in 1914 owing to his penchant for the Central Powers. Further investigation of the source of the news revealed the fact that the deposed Khedive, now living in Geneva, Switzerland, had invented it and himself sent it to an Italian press agency.

At the same time that the Khedive sent the false report to Italy, the attention of the Egyptian people had been focused upon him on account of the return to Egypt of his mother, by permission of the Egyptian Government. Shortly before her arrival, King Fuad, while driving through the streets of Alexandria, was greeted with "Vive Khedive Abbas Hilmy!" This event forced the Government to forbid a feminist welcome to the ex-Khedive's mother and so incensed public feeling. Moreover, the body of the ex-Khedive's son, Prince Abdel Kader, who died recently, was due to arrive in Egypt. Again the Government forbade any public demonstration, which further incensed sections of public opinion. Then on top of these three incidents came the press report from Italy. Truly, as was reported, the ex-Khedive showed "considerable acumen!"

No anxiety was felt, however, in Government circles concerning the position of King Fuad.