EGYPTIAN CRISIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1602, 5 August 1882, Page 10

EGYPTIAN CRISIS.

(Reuter's Special.)

Bombay, July 26th. It has now been definitely decided to despatch the whole of the Indian contingent of 6000 troops to Egypt. All necessary preparations for the despatch and victualling of the troops are completed, and the force will sail without delay. Bombay, July 30th. The force which is being organised here for despatch to Egypt consists of 1800 European and 5000 native troops, together with three batteries of artillery, transport horses, and 2000 mules. The force is intended to hold Suez and Ismailia, and will probably be em ployed in constructing a line of railway along the banks of the Canal. London, July 26th. The London Times, in a leading article , to-day on the Egyptian question, strongly urges a future British protectorate over Egypt. The debate in the House of Commons on the proposal of Mr Gladstone for an extraordinary credit of £2,300,000 to meet the expenses of the British expedition to Egypt is now being proceeded with. The Radical and Conservative members are carrying on the discussion, and are warmly criticising the Egyptian policy of the Government. ; Sir Garnet Wolseley leaves Marseilles on Tuesday next for Alexandria, to assume command of the English army in Egypt. Sir Garnet Wolselsy leaves Marseilles on Tuesday next for Alexandria to assume the command of the English army in Egypt. July 28th. It has transpired, in connection with the intention of the Porte 1 to send a Turkish expedition to Egypt, that the English Government agrees to the co-operation of Turkey, with a view to the settlement of the Egyptian difficulty, provided that the Sultan proclaims Ourabi a rebel, and undertakes to assist in his capture.

H.R.H. the Duke of Teck has been appointed a member of the staff of Sir Garnet Wolseley in Egypt. In the House of Commons to-day tha extraordinary war credit of £2,300,000 to meet the expenses connected with the despatch of a British expedition to Egypt was, after further discussion, finally agreed to by the House. July 29th. In the House of Lords to-day Earl Granville announced, in reply to questions, that Government had received information that parleying waa about to take place with Ourabi, with a view to his submission, but Government was convinced that nothing would justify any relaxation of British armament in Egypt. It has transpired that the Great Powers have agreed to the demand of the Sultan that he should proclaim Ourabi a rebel. The regiment of Scots Fußilier Guards, the first detachment of the troops now under orders for service in Egypt, embarked to-day on board the s.s. Orient, which has been chartered by the Government for transport service. Additional regiments will be despatched very shortly. July 31st. It has transpired that the Prince of Wales desired to proceed to Egypt with the British expeditionary force, but the Queen objected, and in deference to her Majesty's wishes his Royal Highness abandoned the idea. Alexandbia, July 27th. It has transpired that the Ministry have made a proposal to the Khedive that an amnesty should be granted to the superior officers of Ourabi's force if they deliver up Ourabi. The Khedive has, it is understood, declined to agree to the proposal. It is now known that the Khedive has definitely refused to entertain the recommendation of his Ministers that an amnesty should be granted to the superior rebel officers at Kafradowar if they surrendered Ourabi.

No further fighting has taken place between the British force at Ramleh and Ourabi's followers.

The rebel outposts, which hitherto have been patrolling the country in the vicinity of the village, have been withdrawn from before the British entrenchments, and nothing can now be seen of them from the camp. The Egyptian troops who were garrisoned at Aboukir, and whose loyalty was doubted, have now rallied and declared for the Khedive. Information is to hand that the < action of the Egyptian garrison at Aboukir in rallying t<> the side of the Khedive was merely a ruse. The men were called upon to proceed to Alexandria, ' but they refused to leave Aboukir, aad it is clear that their pretended adhesion to the Khedive was a sham. July 28th. Admiral Sir Beauch.amp Seymour has written a letter to the 'K/fceijlive, in which, on ,beWf of the British Government, he disclaims any intention on the part of England £o effect the conquest of Egypt. It is reported fco-day that Ourabi has l^fifc Kafradowar and hq& retired to Damanbou'r, a pjaee on the railway-line between Alexandria and Cairo, 38 miles froi£ .this Cjity, where he is now ejjitr«Hchw?g. It is further stai^d that in evacuating Kafeftdowar Ourabi has feft #trong outposts there ,to coyjer his withdrawal. July 29% It is now reported, but jbfre statement requires confirmation, that Ourabi h'fts sent a proposal of submission to the Ijhedivp, in which he undertakes jo surrender on condition that he is allowed to retire to a monastery with nine of his immediate colleagues. It is expected that the bomfoar4i»ent of the forts at Aboukir will be commenced by the British ironclads on Monday next. A number of delegates, representing the disaffected population of Cairo, have arrived in this city, They had an interview to-day

with the Egyptian Ministers. Their attitude was defiant, both in manner and language, and they strongly upheld the action of Ourabi.

Intelligence has been received here that rebel troops are forming entrenchments and fortifica- i tions in the neighbourhood of Port Said, the northern entrance of the Suez Canal. It has transpired that an official dispatch has been received from Cairo stating that a ' meeting of the leaders of the National party and many influential native citizens had been held there. Inflammatory speeches were made, and the meeting determined to maintain Ourabi, and support him as the leader of the National party. The meeting further resolved to carry on the war of extermination against Europeans until an honourable peace was secured. Rome, July 27th. Sir Augustus Paget, British Ambassador, had an interview with Signor Mancini, the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs, to-day, at which, on behalf of England and France, he invited the Italian Government to join those Powers ; in protecting the Suez Canal. Signor Mancini j replied that his Government was not prepared to accept the invitation immediately, but would await the decision of the Stamboul Conference before taking any action. July 30th. l It has transpired that the Italian Government has declined an invitation received from I the British Government through its Ambassador, Sir Augustus Paget, that Italy should cooperate with England in taking steps to restore order in Egypt. Constantinople, July 26th. Further communications have passed between the European Ambassadors and the Turkish Minister on the subject of the recent identical Note of the Powers, in which the Turkish Government was asked to send troops to Egypt. The pourparlers have been so far successful that the Porte has now consented to the principle that it should interfere with a view to the settlement of the Egyptian diffi; culty, and should send a force to quell the outbreak. Doubt is expressed as to t c Buccess of the '■ negotiations now proceeding between the European Ambassadors and the Ottoman representative for the despatch of Turkish troops to Egypt ; and notwithstanding the agreement of the Porte to discuss the Egyptian question with the Powers, and its avowed consent to the principle upon which action should be taken for the settlement of the disorder in Egypt, no reliable estimate can yet be formed of the Porte's real intentions. '• July 27th. It has transpired that the Sultan has received a letter from Ourabi stating that he is determined to resist any attempt to put down a national movement in Egypt, and will even strenuously oppose any Turkish troops that may be despatched to that country. July 28th. The Porte has announced that it has decided to forthwith despatch a force of Turkish troops to Egypt, in accordance with the suggestion recently made in the Identical Note of the Powers. , ', July 29th. : It has transpired that the Porte, in notifying to the European Ambassadors its intention to despatch troops to Egypt, expressed the hope that the English forces weuld previously be withdrawn from that country. July. 3oth. I Relations between Earl Duff erin, the British Ambassador, and the Sultan are now understood to be somewhat strained in consequence of the firm attitude which has been adopted by England in dealing with the Egyptian difficulty. Pabis, July 28th. ; In consequence of the announcement by the Porte of its intention to despatch a Turkish force to Egypt, M. Freycinet, Minister for Foreign Affairs, has now postponed consideration of his motion for a credit to cover the expenses of the proposed French expeditionary force. ' j July 29th. In the Chamber of Deputies to-day the proposed vote of credit of 8,000,000 franoa to cover the expenses of the proposed French expedition to Egypt again came up for consideration, and after further discussion the vote was rejected by a large majority. } In consequence of the decision of the Chamber, M. Freycinet, Premier, to-day tendered the resignations of himself and his colleagues to President Grevy, whohas accepted them. \ On account of the resignation of the Ministry, and consequent political crisis, the military preparations which were being made wiiih a view to the equipment of an army for service in Egypt have been suspended. '

(Special to Abgtjs.) London, July 26th, 8.30 p.m. The Orient Company's steamer Lusitania has been chartered to convey transport corps to Alexandria. Trivial outpost fighting has occurred at night, but it has not been of a serious character. ; Baron de Lesseps asserts that Ourabi Pasha promised to respect the Canal. The German marines are protecting the German Consulate at Port Said. Earl Kimberley will for the present hold the two offices, pending the reconstruction of the Cabinet in the autumn. ' July 27th. , The French Chamber of Deputies, by one vote, negatived the proposal of M. FreycineJ;, Minister of War^ to raise 9,500,000 francs towards the protection of the Suez Canal. ; Ourabi's garrisons at Rosetta, Aboukir, and Damietta have submitted to the Khedive, 6.13 p.m. Official information has been received stating that the French and English men-of-war are stationed at Port Said. Between Ismailia and Suez a gunboat acts as escort to the mail. The Canal is being patrolled. July 28th, 6.30 a.m. The bombarding of Aboukir is probable. The Governor of Port Said has resigned. The worst is feared. Prince Teck has been appointed to the staff. A Radical meeting has denounced the Government.

(Special to the Age.)

London, July 25th. Sir G. DHke stated in the House of Commons to-day that ,tbe Porte had agreed to send troops to Egypt, and ,ttnat $ie conditions of the occupation would be' 'disqlo,s,e.d by the Conference tw-morrow. J.t js notified that Italy acpejpjt.s ,%> invita t^n of the Powers to co-operate .in the Protection of the 6>uez Canal. " " * The Indian of 5000 men is mobilising. J#ly 365, 4.15 p.m. •gjx thousand of the enemy w ( ere r4pulse ( d while at,taflkjng the British .outposts. It is reported that some Fenians #re wjtoh Ourabi Pash#.

A number of maifoes have Janied at Pojrfc Said, The Forte's decision to comply with the

request of the Powers will not affect the British occupation of Egypt. July 27th, 6.24 p.m. The enemy at Kafradowar have commenced to fortify Oman. # The Secretary of War has stated in the House of Commons that the Egyptian difficulty has completely paralysed trade in India. In the war credit division in the House tonight 29 Liberals, together with the Land League party, opposed Mr Gladstone's motion. H.R.H. the Duke of Oonnaught embarks with the troops in the steamer Orient on Monday. Russia is ascertained to be massing large bodies of troops in the Caucasus, and the Porte is alarmed in consequence. 3.40 p.m. Ourabi is advancing with his forces towards Alexandria, and the Bedouins are joining him in large numbers. The ironclads are getting ready for further action. < ' In the recent outpost skirmishes the British suffered a loss of 40 killed. The despatch of troops from Stamboul appears doubtful, Ourabi Pasha has written to the Sultan that he will forcibly oppose any landing of Ottoman troops in Egypt. ! July 28th, 1.30 p.m. The rumour that Ourabi has proposedto surrender is now confirmed. The parleying took place at Mobala, at the instigation of the Sultan.

(Special to Melboubne Papebs.)

London, July 27th. i It was officially announced in the House of Commons that efficient measures have been taken for the protection of the Suez Canal. July 28th. \ Ourabi Pasha has proposed to surrender if allowed to retire to an Arabian monastery, to retain his rank and pay, and tube accompanied by nins of his colleagues. Envoys have been sent to Mobala Junction to discuss the terms. ! The Governor of Port Said fled on board a steamer owing to the menacing attitude of the native inhabitants.) > # ; An uproarious Radical meeting in London has denounced English intervention in Egypt. Some secret correspondence between the French officials and the military party in Alexandria prior to the bombarding has been discovered in the city.

5.48 p.m. , Ourabi's offer is ascertained to have been made at the instance of the Sultan, who feared that combined resistance might result in the permanent foreign occupation of Egypt. Daily floggings of looters take place. j There are 24 English guns in position at Ramleh. ' The bombardment of Aboukir is imminent. Mr Gladstone has announced that the Sultan has promised to send troops to Egypt without further delay. ! July 29th. ! Serious disputes have arisen between Admiral Hoskiuß and Count De Lesseps in regard to the control of the Canal. The latter is apparently a partisan of Ourabi, and is endeavouring to exclude the men-of-war from the Canal. j Little confidence is felt in Ourabi s overtures for peace, or in the Turkish co-operation againsjt him. ' A deputation from the rebel Government at Cairo has reached Alexandria* They appear to be very bellicose. j Armoured locomotives carrying Gatlingguns have arrived within two miles of Ourabi's position at Kafradowar. They skirmished and retired. July 31st, 6.16 a.m. \ The steamer Orient, which was chartered to convey troops to Alexandria, has sailed under sealed orders. , ' Cherif Pasha is at Alexandria. i Russia has abandoned the Conference. j The Times and Daily News appplaud the isolated action taken by England. ! _ Information has been received that Ourabi is taking measures to destroy the Cairo railway. Count De Lesseps is conferring with Ourabi. j The attitude of Aboukir is still defiant, and an immediate bombardment is imminent. j London, July 30th. > A regiment of the Scots Guards have embarked by the Orient for Egypt. Prince Arthur accompanies them. j M. Freycinct demanded from the Chamber of Deputies a war vote to enable the Government to occupy both ends of the Suez Canal with 4000 men, as agreed to with England. He stated that the European Powers were now reverting to the idea of collectively protecting Egypt, France and England to assist. The motion was rejected by a majerity of 450 to 75. J London, July 31st, 4.38 p.m. j Parleying is proceeding between Ourabi and J the Khedive, but Ourabi maintains a sullejn attitude. j The banks have been reopened at Cairo and Alexandria. : An anti-Gambettist-Freycinet Cabinet is probable in Trance. J