Nasser v. Naguib

With street mobs, intrigues, tears and tanks, Egypt's two strongmen fought the battle for power. On one side was President Mohammed Naguib, who proposed to stay in power by counterrevolution: disbanding the military council (R.C.C.) in favor of a civilian alliance with the oldtime politicians. On the other side was Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser, moving spirit of the revolutionary junta, who appealed for the people's support to continue the revolution, with himself and his handful of officer allies in firm command.

All week the seesaw teetered crazily. It began with Naguib on top. Bounding happily out of a meeting of the R.C.C., he told the waiting mob: "There is good news for you." Grimly, R.C.C. Secretary Major Kamal Hussein announced the details: on July 24 the two-year-old revolution would end. A parliament elected by the old parties would take over.

The major finished his report and snapped: "Enjoy it." But the people refused to enjoy it. They set up a new chant: "We want the revolution!" Leaf lets flooded the streets. Transport workers went on strike. Unionized cabs raced the streets, trailing slogans that read: "We Do Not Want Corrupt Politicians Again!"

"Long Live the Revolution!" Worried, Naguib increased his bodyguard. The tide had set against him. Officers began a sit-down strike in barracks; police held a meeting and vowed they would not police Naguib's election; fleet units hoisted anchor and sailed from Alexandria, announcing that they would not return unless the R.C.C. agreed to stay in power. Mobs roamed the streets calling: "Long live the revolution!" The man they shouted for: Colonel Abdel Nasser.

One night this week, Naguib and Nasser faced each other in the ornate Presidency building. The argument lasted seven hours, but finally an officer emerged. "Bowing to the people's will." he said, Naguib had agreed that the revolution would continue. The elections were off.

The crowd roared victoriously and promptly ran wild. It smashed into the State Council, grabbed Abdel el Sanhouri, Egypt's Chief Justice, who is rumored to be a Naguib supporter, and beat him badly. On hearing the news, National Guidance Minister Major Salem, a Nasser man, drove at a 70-mile-an-hour clip to the court, climbed atop a truck and shouted to the mob: "For God's sake, do not act like this! Do you want the British to walk in?" "The people have already shown their feelings enough," said the Interior Ministry, and the government banned further demonstrations. Troops and tanks moved in to keep order.

An Arm to Lean On. In the midst of it all, Naguib, escorted by his bodyguard, drove to Cairo's airport to perform a routine ceremonial function: a goodbye to King Saud of Saudi Arabia, who last week made a royal visit to Cairo. Suddenly Naguib clutched at his heart and fell to the floor, unconscious. When he revived, bystanders reported that he whispered: "I want to die." Later, the man who helped the tottering Naguib was Colonel Abdel Nasser. They walked to his car together, Naguib leaning heavily on Nasser's arm. For the time being, Colonel Nasser was again in control.

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