, 1877-02-17
Amrricnm Officers in Egypt.

the Egyptian army attained compare
lively high degree of efficiency, as is
proved by the campaigns of the Morea
and Syria. The Khedivc has done much
ro~ard increasing this efficiency and has
<,dIrd into his service several AGcriran
officers in place Of the Europeans for
yncry employed. This was no doub,
done nmnly because of the improbable.
iiy of our country ever taking part IN
European general wars, 50 that he could
count upon Americans standing hy him
in any complication while the Euro.
pean officers might ut Onv moment be
ordered away by their Governments in
the event OF war, and, at the same time,
carry with them knowledge valuable to
his enemies. These officers are employed
chiefly as Typographical engineers on sur
yrys and explorations, being seldom on
duty with troops. They have been en-
gagged in extensive explorations, having
military, scientific and commercial pur-
poses in view. Most of them have done
their work well, and the Khcdive told
me he was much pleased with them, and
desired more in his service But | would
by no means advise any enc doing well
ut home to accept commission in the
Egyptian service. Two large parties un'
der American officers are now exploring
Darfour, q tedious and difficult task.
There were others in the Soudan, with
the English General Gordon, an officer
Of whom all spoke in the highest terms
rs man of great ability, energy, cour-
age and honesty. Whether the advan-
tages resulting from the conquest Of
DartOur and the Soudan will he COM
mensurate with the cost remains to be
seen.
In the recent Abysinian campaign
most of the American officers were with
the active army, and there is good rea-
son to believe that, had the Egyptian
commander, Ratch Pasha, followed their
counscls, his miserable tiasco would have
been converted into brilliant success
They did their work gallantly and 10y
ally, and deserved better commander
As an instance OF what has been done.
and the Khedive's manner of doing it, l
will repeat statement made to me by
the officer concerned.
When the officer had been some months
in Egypt the Khedive sent tor him one
day and asked what was the worst thing
he had observed in regard te the army.
lie replied that il was that the regiments
were commanded by civilians The Khe-
dive said
"No, there is a colonel for every regi-
ment"
"Yes," said the American, "but each
colonel, ch;et of battalion and captain
hNs civilian clerk, who controls every
thing relating to the pay, rations and
clothing of the men, and whoever does
that really commands"
"You are right" said the Khedive;
"but how would you correct thisG'
"By requiring that the colonies should
have sergeants rs their clerks the chiefs
of battalions, corporals; the captains,
private soldiers; and also requiring that
the officers should supervise and do
much OF the real work themselves"
THAT means that the army should
learn reading, writing and arithmetic.
THAT is exactly what | was coming
at, your highncss.'
The Khedive reflected for O moment,
and then ut once wrote an order to the
Minister of War, requiring that, from
that moment, no person in the army
either officer or soldier should be pro-
noted until lie was master OF reading,
writing and arithmetic. The conse-
quencc WAS that the whole army imme,
diately became u school. Besides the
rcgimental schools there have been es.
tablished military school for the edu.
cation of officers of all arms for the staff
corps, for the engineers and artillery,
and for the cavalry and infantry.
A pretty school marin in Olympia tried