The British in Egypt.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 3676, 28 February 1899, Page 3

The British in Egypt.

LORD CROMER AT. KHARTOUM. SOUDAN GOVERNED BY OUEEN AND KHEDIVE. , Lord Cromer ajid Lorda Kitchener, attended by a numerous slaff, held a reception on January sth at the Sirdar.shouse at' Omdurman of a large number of Soudanese Sheikhs and notables. ■ Lord . Cromer addressed them in the following terms, the .speech being translated into Arabic sentence by sentence by his secretary ; “I am glad to meet you all here today • in order to congratulate you on having been freed from the tyranny of Dervish rule by the military skill of 1 Im Sirdar and his ofliters, and the gallaip of the British and Egyptian troops. W«

see both the British and the Egypt; in flags floating over this house. That is an indication that for the future you r ill be governed by the Queen of Eng'.' ,d and the Khedive of Egypt. “ The sole representative in the Sotu: n of both the British and Egyptian >- vernments will be the Sirdar, in wli. n both the Queen and the Khedive L; , o the fullest confidence. Nd attempt v. dl be made to govern the country Ho n Cairo, still less from London. ) u must look to the Sirdar alone for jusli e and good government, and I do <, .t doubt you will have no cause for disappointment. “The Queen and her Christian subjects are devotedly attached to tii -:r own religion, but they also know nc v to respect the religion of others. ‘i e Queen rules over a larger number of Moslem subjects than any Sovereign n ,the world, and they live 1 contented under her beneficent rule. “Their religion and religious customs are strictly respeceted. You may IV el sure 'that the same principle will I>3 adopted in the Soudan. There will i 9 no interference whatever in your ieligion.” At this point one of the sheikhs present asked whether this engagement included the application of the Mohammedan sacred law ? Lord Cromer replied in the affirmatn o, which evidently (caused great satisii ■> tion. Continuing his speech, his lordship said, “ I am aware that many abuses occurred under the old Egyptian regime in the Soudan. No law courts worthy of the name existed. Taxes were heavy in amount, and illegal exactions in excess of taxes were of frequent cccurrehce. You doubtless have heard that the Egyptian Government of fa present day is animated by a very (liferent spirit from that existing in former times. I trust before long it will be possible for the Sirdar to ins itute some simple law courts, in ,which equal justice will be distributed to a t, rich and poor alike.; You will of com si have to pay taxes, but they will l>3 moderate in amount, and fixed accor tii)g to ancient custom, which is ve y similar in all Moslem countries. "You may feel sjir.e that when .;onc£ you h:u o qaa.id the, amounts-, legally dim-no furth r .irregular exactions iyill.be made. •“A few English officers will bo resident in each district in order to onsu m strict compliance? with these principles. You must not, mowever, expect the Government to do everything for you, hu) must, also bestir yourselves. I tru t you who are men of influence will i>g?. that influence in tho cause *of order an ! tranquility, and especially that you will encourage those with whom you a e brought in contact to resume the cu tivatiqn of their fields,, which now can he carried on without fear of molestation. ‘I hope before I come here again'that it will be possible for the Sirdar to hr.,' e allowed you to return to your old horns in the town of Khartoum, which befo e long, will be greatly improved. I bug you to remember these words I ha-c spoken, and to , repeat; them to you • countrymen. . You may' feel assured ■ that they truly represent thfe principh s whereby the Sirdar in the future will h > guided in the administration of tL) Soudan.” Lord Cromer’s address was. listened fo with great attention by the' sheikhs, who frequently gave expression of their approval. . . . Lord Cromer visited the battlefield of Omdurman with the officers of ti-o Sirdar’s staff, and'was afterwards entertained at dinner by Lord Kitchener.