THE CRISIS IN EGYPT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 689, 15 July 1882, Page 2

THE CRISIS IN EGYPT

Failure of Negotiations. The Bombardment to be Resumed. To Gain Time. I The Egyptians Retreated to the Interior. The Convicts Fire the City. Horrible Massacre of Europeans. [by cable.] [per reuter’s agency.] [A portion of the following appeared in a second edition and “ extras” issued from this office last evening : —] Alexandria, July 13. The forts have been abandoned, and it is reported the Egyptian troops have evacuated in a body. The town is now given up to pillage, and lawless arnachy, and the most fearful confusion prevails. It has been ascertained that when the flag of truce was hoisted yesterday, a boat went off to the English flagship, and the Egyptian envoy requested that negotiations for the settlement of hostilities may be entered up. Admiral Seymour, in reply, said that he could not agree to the request unless the forts commanding the harbor were first surrendered.

This demand was refused by the Egyptians, and the temporary truce was therefore ended. The bombardment of the harbor forts was to have been resumed to-day, but the weather has prevented firing. As soon as it moderates the cannonade will re-com-mence. It has been ascertained that the Khedive is safe. Later. It is now known that the flag of truce was hoisted by the Egyptians merely to enable their troops to withdraw in safety from the forts and entrenched positions. The whole of the army which was in the city has retreated into the interior, and the fortifications have been entirely abandoned.

The city has been set on fire in several places by a body of released convicts, and the whole town is now in flames.

The populace have become violently enraged, and have made an attack upon the Europeans remaining in the city. The European quarter has been demolished, and fully one hundred Europeans have been massacred. Most horrible atrocities have been committed by the attackers. Many Europeans have succeeded in fighting their way through the mob to the beach, where they were rescued by boats from the English ships, and conveyed on board. The Khedive has again disappeared, and his whereabouts is at present unknown. London, J uly 13. H. R. H. the Duke of Connaught, Colonel in charge of the Rifle Brigade, has applied to be appointed to command of the army that is under orders for Egypt. FURTHER PARTICULARS. The Government Policy. The Khedive’s Life Threatened. Demoralisation of the Troops. The City Still in Flames. The City in a State of Anarchy. The Arabs Plunder the City. Slaughter of the Marauders. Steamer Aground in the Canal. The Canal Blocked. Devastation of the City. Terrible State of Rapine. The Forts Undermined. Safety of the Khedive. Alexandria, July 13. A force of English marines from the float landed to-day, and attacked the marauders. The latter scattered in all directions, and seven of them were shot dead by the fire of the marines. The Khedive has taken refuge in his palace at Ramleh, five miles from the city. A large body of troops surround the palace, and are making threats on the Khedive’s life. His Majesty’s condition is deemed most critical and precarious, and great fears are entertained for his safety. It is reported that the Egyptian troops have massed in force outside the city, and at the same time others say that they are demoralised, and are rapidly retreating into the interior.

The city is still burning in many parts. The conflagration is greatest in the native and European quarters, and it is now rapidly extending in the direction of the port. It is suspected that the town forts have been undermined by the Egyptians, in anticipation of their occupation by the English. The admiral has landed a force of 600 men to stay the flames if possible, but this will be a work of enormous difficulty. Admiral Seymour has received instructions from England not to dismantle the forts, but to invite the Khedive to restore order, in concert with Dervish Pasha, the Turkish Special Commissioner. The admiral has invited the commanders of the fleets of the other European Powers lying off the port to cooperate with him in restoring order. Alexandria, July 14, Morning.

The city continues in a state of complete anarchy and lawlessness. It is now overrun by hundreds of plunderers and released convicts and marauders, who are pillaging in every direction, and continuing the work of setting fire to the houses. It has been ascertained that the Khedive has escaped from Raraleh Palace, and has succeeded in getting on board a vessel in the harbor. His Majesty is accompanied by Dervish Pasha, whose life is also in peril, owing to the fury of the mob.

The city may be said to be completely devastated and given up to rapine and fire.

The Arabs are now joining the plunderers and looting the city. Intelligence has been received that the new tea steamer Glenlyon is aground in the Suez Canal, and the latter is therefore blocked. It is stated in addition that the Arabs have attacked, and are looting the vessel, but this latter information requires confirmation. Later. The Khedive is now atßaselton Palace, where he is guarded by a force of seven hundred British marines. London, July 14. 1 he instructions which have been sent

to Admiral Seymour not to dismantle the forts and to endeavor to restore order in Alexandria, are understood to indicate the policy which Government intend to pursue at the present juncturs in regard to Egypt.