TIT-BITS ABOUT TURKEY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 24, 26 March 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

TIT-BITS ABOUT TURKEY.

The claiming of Egypt as a British Protectorate means that .'563,181 square miles are added to the British Empire, and a population of upwards of 11,000,000 conies directly under our flag.

The cultivated and settled area of Egypt, however, only covers just over 12,000 square mfles. * * *

Moslems number over 10,000,000, or just over 90 per cent, of the population; Christians, 9 per cent. But a small percentage of the natives can read or write —onlv eighty-live in every thousand males, and three in every thousand females.

The term "protectorate'" means that while Egypt will have a nativo ruler and a native Government, we shall make ourselves responsible for the protection of her interests.

Bv the change, Turkey loses not only her nominal suzerainty, or paramount authority over Egypt, but also a tribute of £700.000 which was paid to her annually. * * *

Egypt was nominally a self-governing province of the Turkish Empire. The Hag was Turkish, and the words of command in the Egyptian Army were Turkish.

The British position was that of a Power in military occupation, its agent nominally a mere Consul-General, like the other Consuls, but with a right to "advise."

Prince Hussein, the new Sultan of Egypt, who is sixty-two years of age, is a great friend of France.

He was educated mainly in France, and during his youth was frequently a guest of Napoleon 111. and ex-Empress Eugenie, and the favourite companion of their son, the ill-fated Prince Imperial.

His Highness, who is uncle of tho doposed Khedive, and a highly capable administrator, has a passion for agriculture, and has been termed "Father of the Fellah" (peasant).

A crisis in the history of Egypt oc curred in 1798, when Napoleon Bona parte invaded the country, with the ob ject of gaining a stepping-stone towards India. Nelson defeated the French licet in the Battle of the Nile, and General Abereomby's expedition landed, the French evacuation of Egypt occurring three years later.

When the Suez Canal was opened in 1860, Britain at once realized its great importance to her sea routes and trade, and paid Khedive Ismail, father cf Prince Hussein, £4,000,000 for his shares.

Last vear 5,000 vessels passed throned) the Suez Canal, 3,000 of which were British.

There were stirring times in the Viizhtios in Egypt. Following the revolt of the Arabs, Alexandria was bombarded, and General "Wolseley won the Battle of Tel-el-Kehir in 1882.

Three years later Khartoum fell, Gordon was killed, while the Powers guai antccd a loan of £9,000,000, Egypt being bankrupt.

How, ten years later, Kitchener avenged Gordon at Atbara and Omdurman, and brought about the conquest of the Soudan, is a matter ol recent history.

Egyptians have the greatest affection ami admiration for Lord Kitchener. Hp i* known among them as "El lord." As British Agent-General of Egypt,'" he was accessible to all.

Every morning he held audiences at the Agency in Cairo, when anyone with a grievance was free to go and lay it before him.

In the picturesoue language of the East, Cairo is "the brightest gem in the handle of the green fan of Egypt.''

Modern Cairo is built upon the remains of four distinct cities, which date back to the first century. Tt is the largest city in Africa.

The population of Cairo is close upon a million people, of manv nationalities. After the Battle of Tel-el'-Kchir in 1882 British troops occupied the city, and it was thenceforward the centre of English influence in Egypt.

The strength of the Egyptian \rmy is about 17,000. Military service is compulsory, the term being for throe years; but, owing to the small contingent required, only a fraction of the men who are liable actually serve

The British Army of Occupation nu; 1 )- hered <Ui'j7 all ranks, towards the upkeep of which the Egyptian Government contributes .eioO.OOO.

Thanks to a splendid, system of irrigniion effected by a network of canals tapping the Nile, two or three crops of cereals, col ton, sugar, and lice arc obtained annually.

Coins in circulation in Egypt arc the pound (lOC piastres), value in sterling £1 Os. (iid.: 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 piastre pieces in silver: 1. ',. 1-5, 1-10 piastre pVecs in uicke!; and 1-20 and 1-iO pit- lit pieces in bronze.