[REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] ArabI proclaims a Holy War.—English War Credit.—The Position of France. Alexandria, July 24.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1570, 27 July 1882, Page 3

[REUTERS TELEGRAMS.] Arabl proclaims a Holy War.—English War Credit.— The Position of France. Alexandria, July 24.

Arabi has issued a reply to the recent proclamation of the Khedive formally dismissing him as Minister of War. Arabi's reply takes the form of a proclamation, calling for a Jehad, or holy war. The cry has heen taken up by the masses, who are now flocking to his standard in great numbers. A slight skirmish took place to-day near Ramleh, a village about 3 miles from Alexandra, between a paity of British troops and some of Arabi's soldiers. The latter offered but little resistence, and Ramleh has since been occupied by the British in force. Londoj», July 24. In the House of Commons to-day, Mr Gladstone, in reply to a question, stated that the expeditionary force now being despatched to Egypt would in the first instance consist of 17,500 men, but that an additional 3,000 would leave later. The Premier announced that in order to meet the extraordinary war credit for the Egyptian cxpenditmc an addition of 3d in the pound income tax would have to be levied during the present half year. In the House of Lords to-day, Earl Granville, Foreign Secretary, stated that the Government rejoiced at the cordial agreement existing between England and France in regard to Egypt, and hoped it would always join them in bringing about a wttlcment of the difficulty. The noble earl added that France had not [decided to send an expedition into the interior of Egypt, and concluded by declaring that the European Powers generally were in favor of the action which is being taken by England in Egypt. Pams. July 24. It has transphed that the French expedition to Egypt will be limited to 50,000 men. It is further undcistood that the French Government has decided to join England solely for the protection of the Suez Canal. [N.B. — The above telegrams have been delayed in transmission to Melbourne. Telegraphic communication with that city has been interrupted by bad weather.]