THE CRISIS IN EGYPT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 686, 12 July 1882, Page 3

THE CRISIS IN EGYPT

The First Shot FiredBombardment Commenced. Two Forts Blown to Atoms. Panic Among the Inhabitants. The Storm has Burst. [by cable.] London, July 10. In the House of Lords, Earl Granville made a statement regarding the position of affairs in Egypt. The noble earl announced that" the surrender of the Egyptian forts was required, so that they might be disarmed. Their existence was deetned a menace to England’s interests. Latest telegrams from Alexandria report that all the European subjects and foreign consuls have gone on board vessels in port. The foreign consuls have presented a joint note to Admiral Seymour, protesting against the bombardment, which they state is uncalled-for. The French and other war vessels have taken up a position outside the harbor, and the British vessels alone remained inside. Admiral Seymour has shifted the vessels under his command to a position directly confronting the forts and guns, and much nearer them than formerly. Everything is in readiness, and bombardment is momentarily expected to commence. A panic prevails amongst the inhabitants, of Alexandria, who are fleeing for safety. Great consternation prevails in the city. Intelligence has reached Reuter’s office that the bombardment of Alexandria by the English fleet commenced this morning, at five o’clock, and is now proceeding. The cannonade is very heavy, and is principally directed upon the forts which were erected by the Egyptians. Later. The forts have returned the fire of the English ironclads, and a heavy bombardment has commenced on both sides- Two of the forts have been blown up by an explosion, and the guns of another have been silenced. The remainder of the forts are slackening their fire. None of the ironclads have jet suffered any material damage. The Egyptian fire has so far had no serious effect upon the ironclads. The explosion of the forts was due to the bursting of shells. The casualties on the side of the Egyptians are not yet known. Information was received by the telegraph department yesterday that overland communication between Alexandria and Suez was temporarily interrupted, and a fmther telegram this morning states that communication is restored.