The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-07-25
OUR GRAND NAVEE.
Al mtrRl Nicholson and Gem
mander Stakeholder Report
their DOInEs at Alex
RuuFfa

Nicholson, commanding the Euro
pean station, makes a report to the
navy department upon the state OF
SHalrs at Alexandria, Egypt, under
date OF July 9Th. He says: The riot
o. the 18th of June was certainly
accidental. 1t progressed for neariy
TWO hours before becoming alarm
Ing. After that time, as the news
spread among the pOpulaCe it be-
came fanatical. and all foreigners
met with on the streets we're as
saulted. Originally the dispute was
between Greek or Maltese and an
Arab. The rioters were augmented
by bedouins outside the wall, who
rushed IN town for plumber and piI-
lage. This the authorities stopped
as soon as possible by closing the
city gates. Since the day of the
riot panic has existed among for
eigners, and their exodus has been
very great. On the first instant |
called upon Governor Omar Pasha.
and stated that as America was at
peace with his country, 1 did not
consider it proper that American
officers, in order to prevent insult or
tack, should be obliged to visit
shore out Of their uniform, and
he replied that he thought it safe
provided they came ashore in the day
and did not visit the outskirts,
but to make sure of it he would de-
tail an officer of his guard to accom-
pany any officers fIon the fleet who
might wish to land, which offer /
accepted, and accordingly issued a
special order for officers to visit
Alexandria only between 10 am.
and pm, then only in uniform
and in company with an officer of
the Egyptian army. The only
Americans l can learn Of at present
in Egypt are two missionaries, two
on board ship, one man from New
Orleans on board ship; Judge For
man, of the mixed col r. on shore at
Alexandria, G. Long, acting consul,
and family in the service Of the
Khedive on shore at Cairo; Vice
Consul General ComOnas on shore
at Cairo. The consul general of
Sweden called on board TO return
thanks for the offer of refuge which
offer he will avail himself of, in
case Of necessity, Sweden not having
vessels in port.
The admiral states that he has
given refuge to all persons of any
nationality asking protection,
whose country has not vessel Of
war in port.
Speaking of the celebration Of the
4th of July Admiral Nicholson says
I venture to say, never before in our
c0untry's history has so grand, as
well as beautiful celebration been
seen aflOat. There were at least
forty ships Of war, each beautifully
dressed with flags, the American en-
sign at the main while national
salute was fired at noon, not only
from flagships present but also from
all larger vessels. Egyptian, Turk
isk, English, French, Russian,
Austrian, German, Spanish, Dutch,
and Greek national vessels all parti-
cipated, while most large merchant
vessels were also dressed with flags,
On shore the house occupied by the
Egyptian minister Of marine, and
their original station were each
gaily decorated.
Commander Batehelder, of the
United States steamer GGLenG says
seven of his officers were on shore
at the time of the riot, but all es-
capped without insult or serious
molestatiOn. Commander Batchel-
der speaking of Arab PaSha and his
support, says: find that the idea
so persiStently enforced by the
English press that only the military
side about Arab Pasha is igener-
ally entertained here. I have it
from persons in position who have
excellent opportunities for forming
a correct estimate of the situation
that nine-tenths of the native pOpu-
lation of Alexandria and Cairo are
heart and hand with him. The
GGLenG received on board all who
claim American citizenship, men,
women and children, to the number
of fifty, and at the request of the
acting consular agent also received
on board certain Austrian and Ger
man subjects who were without
protection. The whole number on
board is sixty of whom only three
are native born Americans. OF the
exodus Commander Batchelder says
TIE number Of refugees becoming so
great on board the GGlenG the com
mander arranged with the master
of an Italian vessel to receive them
paying therefor $25 per day. The
cost of taking care Of the refugees
was about $170. But one case of alb
solute restitution Of a bona tide
American family was found and
contribution made on board pro
vided funds to take them to Liver
pool with a handsome balance in
hand. Officers and men did every
thing in their power TO alleviate the
suffering of these people, and the
commander expresses his admira'
ton of the cheerful manner in
which they sacrificed their OWL
comfort at the call of humanity
Commander Batchelder feels sure ht
is acting in spirit which will bC
approved by his country in Offering
panic-stricken refugees such prOtec
ton as was at his command.