THE WAR IN EGYPT.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2632, 13 September 1882, Page 3

THE WAR IN EGYPT.

BY CABLE.

[“ARGUS” SPECIALS.] LONDON, Sept. 11, 8 p.m

A force of Bedouins on Saturday surprised and forced an entrance into Port Mox, but were quickly driven out at the point of the bayonet.

Lord Granville, in a decisive communication to the Porte, insists that the Turkish troops shall be embarked at some port on the Suez Oanal, to be determined by Sir G. Wolseley. It is reported that Arabi has diverted the course of the fresh water canal to Ismailia by constructing road moats to lead the water to Tel-01-Kebir.

[“age” special.] LONDON, September 11

Had the Highland regiments reached tho front in time, a dash on Tel-el-Kober would have been made on Saturday last, but in their absence it was not deemed prudent to follow tho enemy into their stronghold.

The following is from exchanges by tho Suez mail:—

ALEXANDRIA, July 24. Two refugees from tho interior arrived here yesterday and give vivid account* of the horrors they have witnessed. One of them, a certain Oastelnuovo, an Ita’ian, states that ha was in concealment at a small village about four miles from Tantah. By the aid of a friendly Sheikh of tho village ho was disguised as a Syce and ran before the Sheikh’* horse into the town of Tantab. On arriving there, he says, tho scene baffles description. About eightyfive Christians, the greater number Europeans, had been massacred, and many bodies were lying about tho street*. The elaughter wa* still going on when ho arrived ; bodies were being disembowelled and tho intestine* flung about tho *treet* and at the windows of houses. A Greek was laid on the ground by an Arab and hi* throat hacked with a penknife till it wa* severed. Two English women threw themselves from windows and were fatally injured by tho fall. A train was ehortly put on by Arabi’e orders to carry away Christian survivors, Tho train was fairly well filled, there being about 100 pereons in all.

The passengers had no sooner taken their seats than a determined attempt was made to murder them all as they sat in the train. This attempt was frustrated by a certain Minshowi Bey, a largo native landed proprietor, who by a great effort succeeded in causing the train to move off, ond thus saved the passengers. Minshowi is well known by many European residents in Egypt, who can all test fy to his intelligence and hia willingness to bring European ideas to the fore, especially whore ho sees that improvements can be worked on the antiquated methods of his country. The train left Tantah and arrived safely at Zagazi g and Ismailia, whence the fugitives found their way to Port Said.

July 25, 11,15 a.m. Nothing occurred last night at the Rimleh

lines, though the most exaggerated reports have been in circulation. Two 40 pounders were, however, sent out this morning, and it is hoped will render the position impregnable until the arrival of more troops. We are warned not to proceed outside the lines. This did not deter the Khedive from driving all round the canal with his usual escort of six native outriders. He must have come almost within range of Arabi's pickets. I was following him, and noticed the extreme cordiality of his recepticn by the few people we met. Some of them came up to me and »»ked me if it were safe in the town, if the English were not going to drive away “ those soldiers and give us peace.” Native opinion counts for little, but it is actively hostile to Arabi among all tho respectable natives I met.

Among the orders issued some days ago wbb a warning that any person selling drink to soldiers or sailors, and any soldier or sailor found buying intoxicating drink, would bo punished. All orders arc submitted to the Khedive, and it is characteristic of the kindheartedness and toleration of the roan that he, a rigid Moslem, and of course a total abstainer, tried bard to fight against an order which seemed to him unkind and unjust. Of course he gave way when tho absolute necessity of it was pointed out to him. The Khedive was naturally anxious about the safety of tho property belonging to himself and hia brother, Mahmoud Pasha, at Eamleh. He wrote begging that it might be protected, and received a letter from Colonel Hutton informing him that the English, having occupied Bamleb, all might be considered as saved. The indignation of all Englishmen here will be understood when it was reported to the Palace that the apartments of Mahmoud Pasha had been broken into and bis trunks burst open and looted by our own man, at a time when a native Court is condemning natives, at our suggestion, to five and six years’ imprisonment for looting. It is to be hoped that some serious punishment may bo awarded to soldiers guilty of similar crimes, under more aggravated circumstances.

Another account, from an Italian engineer in the employment of the Cadastre, says that all the ginning factories there are sale. An attempt had been made on that belonging to a certain Greek named Demetriadis, but the Borberino watchmen in charge had succeeded in beating the marauders off until a dt'taohment of about 400 troops arrived on the scene to restore order. At Mehalla-el-Kebcer six or eight Europeans had been murdered; about sixty succeeded in escaping, together with my informant. The women are described as behaving like demons from another world ; the way they illtreated and mutilated the murdered victims, spat at them, and shrieked about the town, was truly diabolical. The children, too, were not backward in showing their brutish instincts, and all the fiendish nature of the parents wan brought out to the full. Early this morning Sir Archibald Alison, accompanied by 600 men and taking two pieces of artillery—seven-pounders—started for Eamloh, with the objeoc of securing the Waterworks • hill. This position, which formed the head quarters of Sir Balph Aberoromby at the Battle of Alexandria, has an importance to which I have already alluded. It is, perhaps, the highest ground within a radius of ten miles from Alexandria. It is about equi-distant from the sea and the Canal and it overlooks the position of Arabi. The approaches to it from the rebel camp are in two lines—one, the line of the Cane.l, from Arabi’a right to the left of the hill, the other the line of the railway across the Canal bridge, from Arabi’a left to the right of the hill, This hill commands the pumping station of the Batnleh Waterworks, and it was of extreme importance to secure it against any attack of the enemy. Upon reaching the hill without encountering opposition, Sir Archibald threw out pickets, one to his left to the Canal line, another to his right on the railway bridge. The enemy’s camp was distinctly visible at a distance of about five miles. Bodies of troops were seen moving forward, and at about eight fire was opened on our pickets with shell and shrapnel. The shells wore well directed, but fortunately, did no damage. Our men returned the fire, and some desultory shooting weut on for about two hours in tho direction of our left, but without any apparent lots on either side. Meanwhile about 100 horsemen had appeared on the bridge on our right, within 400 yards of our pickets. Shota were exchanged and one of the enemy is said to have been killed. We suffered no loss. Both parties at length retired and entrenched themselves.

The following telegraphic despatch, dated July 24th, from Major-General Sir A. Alison to the Secretary of State for War, was received, and describes the skirmish at Ramleh : battalion, arrived last night. At 3 o’clock this morning mounted infantry marched for the position in front of Ramleh barracks, whi'h I intended to occupy at 6 o’clock. I followed by train, with rifles, two sevenpounder naval guns, and some Sappers. On arriving at Ramleh I found the ridge occupied by the mounted infantry. This ridge lies half - way between the Khedive’s Palace on the sea and the Mahmoudioh Canal. It commands the bridge by which the Cairo Railway crosses that canal, and the point at which the canal, running from Alexandria parallel to the eea, turns elf at right angles inland towards Arabi’s position. The key of this ridge is the tower of the Ramleh Waterworks, tv strong defensible

building. I occupied this petition at once with the Rifle*, under Ashburnham, and guns, and established outpoits at the railway bridge, and in front of the canal bend. Shortly after we were in position, a small force of Arsbi’s cavalry, followed by infantry, advanced toward, the railway bridge, within 400 yard, of the Rifles. After exchanging shot, for gome time the cavalry retired rapidly on the Mahmoudieb Oanal. The enemy’s advance was more decided ; considerable force of cavalry, with two horse artillery guns, pushed on rapidly, the gun* coming into action briskly; infantry followed, and the movements of a considerable body of troops were observed upon the high ground behind. Arabi’s attack was not pushed home, and the fire of bis gnus, brisk for some time, gradually died away, i'iring ceased. There were no casualties on our side.”

July 27.

In my mention of the email operation against the village of Karmoos yesterday, I should have said that the village was surrounded by 700 English troops. The searching party consisted of 150 English, with eighty native police. It was, however, too late, for Arabi’s friends had cleared out the arms believed to be there. The search would have been made sooner, bub the authorities were unwilling to act until the native police were able to assist. In all these matters the very greatest consideration has been shown to the feelings of the people. A prisoner was yesterday brought into oamp, who gave the following account of himself. He had loft Alexandria on tho 11th of July, about an hour after the bombardment began, and went to Cairo, He left Cairo to return to Alexandria two days since, and got as far as Kafradowar by rail. Thence ho had to come on foot. Ha was stopped on his trying to pais out of Arabi’s lines by night, and was turned back by tho sentry, who threatened to shoot him 5 but on a second attempt to escape, by creeping through, he was successful. He confirms tho reports current that Arab! is threatening with death all persons found endeavouring to pass through his lines to Alexandria. The prisoner added that crowds of people surround Kafradowar, who are much illtreated by the soldiers, and are in want of the nccajsarics of life.

The c fficial native report of the engagement at Alexandria was to the following effect:— “ Admiral Sjymour killed. Eight ironclads sunk, two burnt, and four bound together to bo brought to Cairo.” Admiral Seymour, in a letter to the Khedive says, July 28th :—“I, as Admiral in command of the British ships, think it right to at onco repeat to your Highness that the British Government has no intention of conquering Egypt for itself, nor of interfering in any way with the religion or liberties of the Egyptians. Their only object is to protect your Highness and the people of Egypt against rebels. The British Government is determined to suppress the rebellion against your Highness, and to restore order in the country by relieving it of the oppression exercised by rebel officers. I beg that your Highness will, as an act of kindness, warn the soldiers not to obey rebel commanders, bat to return to their bonus or to your Highness as their Sovereign, and the British Government, being well disposed towards the people of Egypt, advise them to regard the rebel Arabi and his accomplices as traitors to their Sovereign, and enemies to themselves and their country.” The letter is said to have produced an excellent effect at the Palace, where it is hoped that it will greatly strengthen the Khedive’s position in the country.