FROM ALEXANDRIA

Evening Star, Issue 15892, 26 August 1915, Page 4

FROM ALEXANDRIA

ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF THE SULTAN. PEELING AGAINST AMERICA? . “THE LAUGHINGSTOCK OP THE WORLD.” Lance-corporal Clarence Umbers, writing to hk father from Headquarters, Alexandria, on July 11, eays;- 1 - 1 am still stationed here in Alexandria, and so far have had no reply from the general in regard to getting hack to the front. I have applied to join the Royal Naval Air Service, and have been promised the first vacancy. Plight-commander Samson is in charge. Should Ibe successful in entering his division I shall get the rank of first class petty officer. What an experience it should he for me! In regard to the position of things at Gallipoli, our troops are holding their own until the arrival of a largo body of Kitchener’s Army, consisting of six divisions each -20,000 Strong. The divisions are now arriving daily, and it is interesting to note what a great body of men they are. Their phvsique is splendid. They look as fine a body of men as one could see anywhere. Yesterday morning 172 Turkish prisoners reached here from Gallipoli and the Asiatic shore, and were sent to Cairo., Two officers (Turkish) were with them. A pleasing little incident was enacted in connection with their arrival. One of the officers, a certain Kerim Elfendi, was known to have picked up and brought safely, into our lines at Gallipoli a wounded British officer. When Kerim arrived here yesterday, by special order of the General Officer Commanding he was allowed to travel from the docks to the railway station by motor car, the same privilege being granted, to him on hia arrival at Cairo, where he proceeded to the prison camp at Mardi, the other prisoners, of course, having to “ foot it.” A notice has been issued by Rearadmiral R. H. Robinson, Director-general Of the Ports and Lighthouses Administration, warning navigation companies against German eubmarinee, which appear on the high seas ili the guise of fishing boats. So you can see the Germans’ latest “ stunt.” In connection with this advice, all lighthouse lights have been extinguished -at night, ami guns have been, mounted on the breakwater at the entrance. Yesterday a French Flying Division, arrived, and all day long machines were in flight over tin) town and harbor. The machines appeared to be capable of doing an enormous speed. The dastardly attempt yesterday on the life of the Sultan—the second Of its kind since ho ascended the throne—excited a universal wave of horror throughout the country. Since his accession Sultan Hussein has gained a secure place in the affections, not only of his own countrymen, hut in those of the many foreign residents of Egypt. His zeal for the welfare of the nation, his entire preoccupation with public affairs, hi? interest in every branch of the administration, and, most markedly, in education, his hospitality, his generosity, Iris affability, and, not least, his dignity of manner, have proved him worthy to be the Sultan of a great and regenerated Egypt. Happily for the country, the miscreant failed in his miserable endeavor, as did the other wretched would-be assassin, and I am-sure that it is a great pleasure to all here to congratulate Hia Highness on his escape from a risk to which every crowned head and prominent statesman is unhappily subject. That he may long he spared to rule over the destinies of Egypt is, I am sure, the heartfelt wish of all who live in this country. Strange enough to state, once again I was in the vicinity of the outrage. Here the neat still continues to be very great, the average daily maximum temperature in the shade being lOOdeg. Alexandria would he a terrible place were it not for the sea and the breeze. No wonder that Cairo residents by the hundreds come up here for the summer. Daily, Cairo is about 4deg hotter than here, while Khartum is 15deg. One day the temperature there was 125.1deg in the shade! That was the day that we got it HO.Sdeg. The evenings are very not, and -1 find it hard to get enough sleep. Since General Maxwell ordered the closing of bars and stopping the sale of drink in cafes at 10 p.m. things are now usually quiet at the late hours. Previously everything went on until 2 a.m., and by special license until 3 a. in. There are some very funny titles in this country. For instance, there are Ist and 2nd class Beys. Then there are the highest of all, Pashas. The Grand Order of Master of the" Nile is another great title. An Elfcndi is an Egyptian ranking as an esquire with, us, and who wears European clothes. To-day I asked one if he was a Ist or 2nd class Effendi, and ho quite seriously informed me that he was just “Effendi,” and that there were no classes, as is the case with the Beys. I must tell you about the American warships that have been here. Since I have been hero there has nearly always been one in harbor. First there was the Tennessee, then the North Carolina, and then the —— (I forgot its name), just a small gunboat, about a match for H.M.S. Torch. As you might only expect, many a free fight has taken place owing to these Yankee sailors boasting of having already twice licked England, and that they could again do it. And what their boats could do to the Queen Elizabeth, etc, etc. Well, of course, trouble was often met in our own sailors and soldiers. One night the Australians put a score of Yankees in hospital. When the 4th came wc expected trouble, and sure enough it came. Somehow or other a fight started between the Yanks and some armored-car drivers (R.N.). I was sorry for the Yanks, though ! My word ! there is a mixture in their crews—Germans, English, French, Negroes, Spaniards, Mexicans, and all sorts Of .itien. At any rate, the 4th saw this cruiser leave Alexandria. But what price poor old States now? “Germany is ready for her!” That is a slap in the eye for “Unde Sam’s Punch!” America is. now the laughing stock of the world! No doubt, she cannot do anything, one way or another, but she might at least keep her mouth shut and hot skibe. I think that Unde Sam will now stop sending “Notes.” I saw a very good verse at the foot of an English cartoon depicting Unde Sam standing lip, full of pride and scorn, looking at the Kaiser jumping oft the Stars and Stripe's, putting his fingers to his nose at Uncle Sam (President Wilson). This is the verse— 1 ' Fait Columbia,’ Too proud to fight! TOO .right to right a Wrong! Too wise to follow wisdom! Too mighty to be strong! Thank you very much for the paper that you sent to nie .about the Lusitania. I think I have before mentioned that her sister ship a has, been here with 8,000 troops on beard. What a risk bringing such a ship fi-bnl -Ehglaild ! As- I Write this letter some fingers, (Italian) aro sitting outside a cafe singing 1 La Pallomaj’ to the accompaniment of mandolins, guitars, and castanents. Their voices are marvellous, and the whole performance wonderful. HoW yell would enjoy this were you only here! All these Italians are artists!