The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-02

the viceroy. Take away che whole generation now
existing and prevailing in America, and materia
progress would march on unfettered; but let the
Vlceroy die ana the high order OF improvement
That he has inaugurated would relapse. II is u
him, therefore, tnat those interested in the fate
that continent must look for revival OF the an.
cient glory and prestige Of Egypt.
| IN ALL HIS ENTERPRISES
the vceroy has constantly sought the cooperation
| OF European skill. No traveller Of note who has
ever visited his domain has been permitted to de-
| part without having been invited to give his
| views as to the best means to modernize and
elevate Egypt. Mechanics, engineers, soldiers,
writer's and statesmen have laid before His High
ness their Impressions and examinations, and
where ne has found them In the least degree
pracucaoie they have been reduced to writing and
preserved In the archives OF the Ministry. IL has
Deen his constant habit to demand accurate infor-
nation; to listen to new ideas and once in possess
sion OF these to place them in the hands OF thor
ougn and competent engineers for surveys and re-
ports In this way he has availed himself OF the
nnest talents and the ripe Judgment OF the respon-
slole and experienced travellers who 20 to Egypt
Tor serious purposes. Tho tourist who lands at
Alexandria, prepared to do the journey up the Nile,
is not the average individual found running around
the capitals Of Europe. The trip is too expensive
and surrounded by TOO many impediments. Hence,
when 1t is decided to 60 to Egypt, purpose other
tnan that OF ordinary sightseeing Is generally in
view. Thus for years the Viceroy has been
receiving and digesting the ideas OF the best
minds OF the world. SO that he has become thor
oughly informed upon the abundant resources and
the necessary improvements required to develop
them. After bringing 900 OF OF cotton and
sugar lands to the highest degree OF cultivation in
the Delta provinces, where he and Said Pacha have
constructed more than eight hundred miles OF rail-
way; after intersecting this beautiful territory
with navigabe and irrigatng canals; in fine, after
having provided the entire population with the
means OF a generous subsistence, he now turns to
the soudan, more than thousand miles in latitude
from his capital, and resolves to connect that iso
lated population, variously estimated at from
1000 o00to 100000 f the White Nile be lncuded
with Cairo by means OF the rail. 1t Is
in itself matter OF some surprise that
the Viceroy has been enabled to govern
that Central African territory as well as he has
governed it since he assembled the Viceregal
throne. From the capital OF Lower Egypt to the
capital Of the Soudan it is journey Of two months.
The Soudan, in addition mas been penal colony,
and the retreat OF the worst class OF irresponsible
Levantines, guilty OF all classes Of crime. His gov
errors and ofiicias have robbed him OF his right
eous revenues; the Arab tribes have been the
provinces have suffered from misrule OF the most
banefui character. AS General Grant wisely re-
marked in his last inaugural address, the aston
ishing facilities for lntsrcommunication and travel
have rendered government comparatively easy
throughout the world. 1t Is because the Vlceroy
wishes to control the Soudan from Cairo and place
the inhabitants under his immediate protection
that he is determined to build this railway cOute
Qui c6ttte.
Mr.. JOHN FOWLER, THE CONSULTING ENGINEER.
Mr.. John Fowler, who was invited by His High
ness to prepare complete surveys OF railway to
the Soudan, is one Of the most eminent members of
his profession. 1t generally conceded that he is in
sense enthusiast, but bases all his reports and
recommendations on accurate scientific knowledge
alone. To be called by the viceroy Of Egypt to
undertake the solution OF problems which might
well render the most eminent authority dinident
s in itself high honor Mr.. Fowler has not hastily
given an opinion but, after visiting the Nile coun-
tries himself and after employing an able corps Of
assistants, he has collected all the information
submitted to him and has prepared an
exhaustive report, which has undoubtedly
met the Viceroys fullest approval. It
shenld be borne in mind that many engineers
have sought means or rendering the Nile navigable
by blasting the cataracts and by snip canals, but
that no one has yet prosecuted the severe inquiry
Mr.. Fowler's report which has suggested the pres
ent article.
GENERAL FEATURES OF MR.. JOHN FowLER's REPORT.
After brief Introduction, describing the circum-
stances under which he undertook the survey, Mr..
Fowler proceeds to recommend
F,st-A railway from Wady Haefa to shendy,
$50 kilometres long.
Second-A ship incline at the First Cataract.
Third--A bridge across the Nile.
Pou,ah-The avoidance of all construction in
volving tunnels and ferries.
FJnh-The construction of the entire railway in
three years.
.Sirtt-The estimate of the cost is 500, 0O0, 900.
Accompanying the report is the map showing the
construction already completed, including that
which is necessary to make the communication
complete between Cairo AMI Khartoum. The rail-
way is already in operation for twenty miles above
Roda making continuous line Of more than five
hundred kilometres from the Mediterranean due
southwark Between Roda and the First Cataract
II is proposed, for the time being, to continue to
move all products merchandise and passengers by
the Nile to the First Cataract, which Is about nine
hundred miles distant from the Mediterranean
| when following all the tortuous windings of the
river. At the First Cataract vessels to be hauled
| overland, up a ship incline, distance of three
| miles, and again launched In the placid waters
| above the rapids. Thence they will pursue their
! voyage to the Second Cataract, at Wady Halla,
| when further navigation is impossible because OF
| the distractions in the river Then the Soudan
Railway begins, and, following the great bend OF
| the Nile it crosses the proposed bridge at Kobe,
| and keeping along the river bank, DIVORCES at
Dabbe into the Bahiuda Desert, which it traverses.
| terminating opposite Shendy.
] NATURAL ATTRACTIONS ALONG TIE ROUTE OF THE
i PROPOSED RAILWAY.
! 1t Is hardly necessary to give detailed descrp-
| ton OF the wonderful attractions before reaching
the First Cataract. They are almost exhaustless.
Temples of the grandest proportions; obeIisks
bearing inscriptions recounting the history OIL
ancient Egypt; tombs and mausoleums containing
the remains of kings and warriors OF the remotest
periods sugar plantations, and the still interesting
and vivacious Gahwazee, who make so much