288 Egypt
where some third, probably, of the households are still
polygamous. In the higher ranks of society there is a
strong conservative opposition, and there the harem still
confers a certain social status. A Conservative Coalition
between the Court, the ex-ruling class, and the Islamic
clergy makes it dangerous to force reforms on the
fellaheen, which are clearly contrary to the Koran.
The first act of the Adli Coalition Government had
been to follow the example of Angora in repealing all the
legislation by decree passed by its unpopular predecessors.
But its revolutionary action did not go beyond this
negative assertion. It will be observed from what has
been written above that Modern Egypt is being much
more moderate than Modern Turkey in its work of re-
construction, which rapid acquisition by Egypt of a more
mature mentality is already affecting for good the
relations between Egypt and the British Empire. Various
developments, both internal and international, are con-
tributing to this detente. Zaglul, as President of the
Chamber, has used his personal power to divert it from
further anti-British agitation to more useful activities.
The striking evidence in recent events that Egypt enjoys
great advantages as compared with its western neigh-
bour, Tripoli, under Italian rule, or its eastern neighbour,
Syria, under French rule, is beginning to have an effect.
The Empire is recognised as a protection against French
and Italian militarism that may at any moment become a
menace from the Sahara or from Abyssinia. Internally,
the High Commissioner is recognised as a protection
against the King. Wherefore Nationalists no longer
assert at every possible opportunity Egypt's abstract
right to complete independence, nor announce whenever
given a chance that the Declaration of Independence of
1922 is invalid and valueless. They have shown them-