THE SAFETY OF CAIRO.

Evening Post, Volume LXIII, Issue 87, 12 April 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE SAFETY OF CAIRO.

In Cairo a European may go anywhere he pleases — unless he makes a fool of himself in a mosque at some sacred season—without tho slightest fear for his life or his property. The police are everywhere throughout the city— tall, well set up, intelligent, and attentive, and they now regulate; the trnfHo with a pardonable imitation of a London policeman, though not yot , with the same majestic authority. They have, I think, all passed through the army, and many of them have the medals of the Soudan campaigns. Twelve years ago! we were guarded by soldiers on various Nile expeditions far below the first cataract, but to-day one can go anywhere without protection as' far as tho second cataract, and even as far as Khai'toum, which is now within a comparatively easy railway journey of Cairo. Twelve years ago, however, the Mahdi was at the second cataract, or thereabouts, aud the unrest of his power was felt throughout Lower Egypt. IN PRAISE OF EGYPT'S ARMY. The police suggest the array, and the visitor is bound to be delighted with, the Egyptian force. For twenty reasons. Because the men are of excellent physique, because they are devoted to their drill — drilling' one another iv groups during their off time— because, although conscripts, they are a hearty and cheery set of fellows; because they are patient and docile ; because the English officers are as smart a set of- mon as ojie could wish — I had no opportunity of meeting the native Egyptian pfficers— and because they have carried themselves well since the day they were drilled and organised by Englishmen. Whether that portion of the Egyptian »rmy which is rooruited from the fellaheen could be depended upon, say against tho Dervishes or any fierce and selfregardless attack, without a stiffening of English troops is a matter on which no officer outside the "Gyp" army will pass an opinion, and although a "Gyp" officer is proud of his men, yet he also, I think, has his misgivings.