The New York herald., 1879-11-22
CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE.

HOW THE ALExANDRIANs GREW EXCITED ABOUT
THE REMOVAL OF THE oBEL1sK--THREATs OF
INTERFERENCE oBvIATED BY. COMMANDER
GoRRINGE HOSTING THE STARS AND STRIPES.
CAIRO, Nov. /. 1872
The people of Alexandria Just beginning to
realize the fact that they about to their only
remaining .obelisk. For centuries they have not
shown spark OF interest in any of the relics OF
tiquity with which their city abounds. For many
years Cleopatra's Noodle. which will soon adorn New
York. has been surrounded by the rubbish and
debris of Italian carpenters backyard. On Octo-
ber 20 Lieutenant Commander Gorrlnge arrived in
Cairo. He had audience with the Khedve. and the
Governor of Alexandria was forthwith ordered to
put Commander Gorrnge In full legal possession of
the Needle. On the 23d the work of removal was
commenced. Everything went on smoothly until an
italian who owns the land surrounding the obelisk
saw chance to make little money. He forbade
any Of the working party to enter upon his land.
He threatened lawsuits and the most unheard of
damages for trespassing on his property. Being
aware. however, Of the tortuous ways Of the
Egyptian law courts. lie finally accepted moderate
sum in ready money as an indemnity. and the work
proceeded.
EXCITED ALRxANDRIANs.
On October 20 the Governor of Alexandria, in full
uniform. accompanied by several high functonaries.
paid visit to the Needle and congratulated Com
mander Gorringe on his having commenced work so
promptly. The Alexandrians, noted since time be-
yond memory for their hckleness and volatility.
seemed to have become suddenly excited by this
show OF gold lace The local journals announced that
''the die had been cast" and the obelisk really
going to be taken away from them. Some Of the
Levantine bankers and brokers worked themselves
up to o fever heat We're they not about to be
robbed Of Of their cherished Needle, Ought they g
blood? These appeals not being responded to by
the dangerous classes with such warmth as had
been hoped belliRerent feelings soon cooled off, A
safer plan suggested itself Was not the Cieopatras
Needle part of the government property already
debit Would it not Be- dead loss to the creditors
to have this Needle-vaued anywhere under half
million dollars-borne entirely beyond their reach
Tho Needle, it is true. had been given to New York;
but then the Khedive had no more power to give 1t
than lie had to dispose OF Of his palaces or
of the Pyramids or any other OF his property. All
mortgaged. The path was clear-get . writ
from the tribunals seize the Needle and hold it in
the OF the creditors Of the consolidated debt.
THE ENRAGED LEvANTINEs.
Adopting this plan. several Egyptian bondholders
judges were about to issue the writ when ismail
Pacha Ayoub. the president OF the tribunal. asked
o = ne Pacha said that II tha Inited st.ts. hsS
taken possession of the obelisk there would be many
difficulties in serving the writ, and suggested that
before getting out the writ they should request
Commander Gorringe to cease the work of
removal. and if he refused to threaten to
serve writ OF seizure. They would then
have the advantage of knowing what steps
Commander Gorringe would take. lsmail Pacha
Ayoub's advice was followed, and the bondholders
not long in having the full advantage Of Com
mander Gorringe's views The Commander hoisted
the American flag on the obelisk and told them that
there court in Egypt competent to issue q
writ seizing American property. and that he would
resist any attempt to serve such writ. Whereupon
the ardor Of the Alexandrians cooled down, and at
present writing no forcible means probable.
This iasco took place on October 80 and tele-
graphed at the time. the work progresses rapidly.
NO MORE oBELIsKs TO BE HAD.
There is also another plan on foot to prevent the
obelsk leaving Egypt Marriott Pacha the well known
French Egyptologist, Is bringing q strong influence
to bear upon the French Consul to inform the
Khedive that the gift Of the Cleopatra Needle to
foreign Power is contrary to the express terms of
the circular issued by the Khedive Ismail to the
European Powers forbidding the removal OF any
objects Of Egyptian antiquity. Marriott Pachs
holds that this circular. being accepted
the parties to 1t and cannot be set aside by Egypt
alone The reply to this would seem quite evident.
Egypt is part of the Ottoman Empire and cannot
make treaties directly with foreign Powers except
object judicial reform and those concerning the
financial administration Of the country. Treaties
having other objects than these two expressly
declared Dy the frman in force during the Khedive
that the circular issued to the foreign Powers had
the force of treaty such treaty would be neverthe
less void.
It is to be hoped. however. that the early arrival
all these controversies by safely bearing away the
Cleopatra Needle beyond their reach. 1t Is natural
that the Alexandrians should regret to bid final adieu
to their obesk, but the matter being finally settled
sense enough to refrain from enacting any such
farces late demonstration, and not lose their
heads by the dramatic incident Of the obellsk
leaving them. when they for years have viewed 1t
IL -. 49, s<.I.N