UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1952-11-07_Page-014

REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE AIlRICAN UNIVERSITY AT CAIRO TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR 1951-1952 I — CHRONICLE OF THE YEAR No year since the establishment of the Egyptian Monarchy (1922) has seen such change and upheaval as these past months. After five years of fruitless negotiation, Egypt finally repudiated the Anglo—Egyptian Treaty of 1936 on October 8, 1951, and began an active struggle against the British troops in the Suez Canal Zone. The government' s official policy was one of non—cooperation -- the withdrawal of Egyptian labor, closure of the ports to British military supplies, and cutting all communications with Egypt proper. Unofficially,_ it assisted in the formation of "freedom battalions," recruit-ed from university students and Moslem Brotherhood organizations, who carried on active guerilla war. Internal conditions became increasingly chaotic until the final explosion on January 26, 1952. On that day carefully organized mobs attacked the business district of Cairo, destroying over seven hundred stores and offices and causing a number of deaths. Such landmarks as Shepheard's Hotel, Cicurelt s Department Store, Groppit s and all the principal cinemas were burned and looted. Only prompt action by the municipal authorities prevent-ed a similar outbreak in Alexandria. Martial law was immediately imposed and the Wafd government dis-missed. Egypt was sobered and shocked by its own violence and set to work to repair the damage and restore confidence. A succession of Cabinets, appointed by the Ding and ruling without Parliament, attempted to stabilize the country and find some fresh approach to the impasse with Great Britain, but with little success. In the next six months, four governments came to power, one lasting only two days. Internal reform was hampered by political opposition and Palace influence; Great Britain showed no readiness to con-sider any new solution to the Suez—Sudan problem. Finally, the situation became so chaotic and helpless that an army junta, led by General Mohammed Neguib, seized power in a coup dt etat on July 23, 1952, forced the abdica-tion of the King and the dissolution of the Palace clique, and instituted a radical program of social reform and political reorganization. These months of tumult faced the University with many unusually difficult problems. General anti—foreign feeling was always a disturbing possibility, although the Egyptian discriminated quite clearly between the British and the American. Foreign (and some Egyptian) businesses were attacked indiscriminately on January 26, but whether by accident or design no religious or educational plant was touched and the University property was unscathed. After January 26, the atmosphere of Egypt changed drastic-ally and the closing months of the school year were free from ill--will. Th