The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-05-17
6hinss sbroad.
Correspondence Of hs N. y. O6sarsr.
ALEXANDRIA AND CAIRO.
BY HENRY DAY, ESQ. OF THE N. y. Bah

From Naples to Alexandria, by sea, is
delightful sail, provided you can escape a
blow on the Mediterranean. As you sail
out of the harbor of Naples the view is
most magnificent, and, indeed, think the
best part of Naples is the going in and
coming out. The French steamers are
very good and well manned. You leave
Saturday afternoon, and early Sunday
morning you pass close TO Stromboli,
volcano arising out Of the sea and which
is always in action. A few hours and you
pass through the Straits of Messina, which
are only 3,400 yards wide, made classical
by the marvellous descriptions of Homer
and Virgil.
We saw nothing of the tabled terrors of
the monster Scylla or the roaring Charyb-
dis. But, owing to volcanic action, navi-
cation may now be much more safe than
it was in the days of Ulysses or Eneas.
On the morning of the third day we come
in sight Of Gambia or Crete, and the next
day, at evening, the lighthouse of Pharos
appears and we come to the port Of Alex
andria. Then comes the real view Of for
eign life and manners in the horde of the
Arab and Nubian boatmen, clothed, in all
the various costumes of Eastern climes.
They take the ship by storm, and you
may well give thanks after you are safely
ashore and delivered from their hands
In 1912, Alexandria had 10000 inhabi-
tants. Now it has about 100000 Seven
years ago it had no gas and only one
paved street. Now all its principal streets
are lighted and paved. Its harbor is not
protected from westerly winds, and an
artificial breakwater is being constructed
which in two years will enclose a harbor
Of 400 acres, with 80 feet Of water.
Twenty thousand concrete blocks, each Of
20 tons weight, are to be deposited. A
line Of quays are next to be constructed,
where the largest ships may load, and these
are to be connected with the city and the
interior of the country by the various
lines of railways. A shoal also, which lies
in the way of vessels entering the harbor,
is to be removed. A London firm of en-
gineers has undertaken all this great
work. They have 40 steam engines and
1000 men constantly at work. The break
water, which is to be seven feet above the
sea level and one and a half miles long, is
already more than half completed. 1t is
great undertaking, but the immense
traffic of the Nile, which is constantly in
creasing, viii justify the expense. The
exports of Egypt in 1871 amounted to
$50, 600, 900, while 80 years ago the ex-
ports were only slO,O0O,0OO 10000
tons of cotton were exported in 1871, and
the increase is about 33 per cent. annu-
ally
But, with all these evidences Of pros
perity, Alexandria is capable Of vast i'm
provement. 1t is city Of filth. Most Of
its buildings are tumbling down. Moth
ing seems finished. But great obstacle
in the way of all improvement is that most
of the wealthy people are foreigners and
exempted by treaty stipulations from all
kinds Of taxes and tribute and from the
jurisdiction of all civil courts in Egypt.
There are II foreign consuls in Alexand-
ria, exercising judicial powers in all cases
over persons of their own nationality; 50
that if a native has any claim against a
foreigner he must bring his suit before a
foreign consul for determination. This is
a great drawback to the Viceroy, and he
is endeavoring, in place Of this consular
authority, to have one court in Egypt
having jurisdiction in all civil cases, and
this court to be composed of Eve judges
one American, one Englishman, one
Frenchman, and two Egyptians--and these
judges to be appointed by their respective
nationalities. This arrangement is likely
to be accepted by all concerned. It will
give a great impetus to all great enter
prises. As it is now, the Khediye cannot
allow foreign corporations or capital to
come in to build railroads, sugar manufac-
turtles, canals, &c., for the reason that all
this capital, when invested, would be en-
tirely under the jurisdiction of foreign
consuls in oil cases Of dispute between
himself or his subjects, ON the one hand,
and the owners of such capital, on the
other When you consider how many
and great corporations like railroads, it is
easy to see that the Judicial authority Of
Egypt might be transferred, in a great
measure, to foreign countries, were its
great public works owned, to any extent,
by foreigners.
Cairo is about 1870 miles south Of Alex.
andria. 1t is one of the most singular
and interesting cities in the world. Il is
the meeting place of all nations. In its
streets are men and women Of all shades
Of color and all varieties Of dress. It is
really two cities united in one--an ancient
and modern, an eastern and western. The
western part Of the city, reaching to the
Nile, is entirely new and modern. Large,
wide avenues are laid out, paved, guttered
and lighted with gas and supplied with
water. This part is being built with
modern houses, with yards around them
filled with tropical trees and flowers.
Many old streets have been demolished,
and new, wide and regular streets are be-
ing laid out aud built up on the western
side. When in this part of the city you