The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-10-07
Cairo Letter.
Irregular CORRESPONDENCE
DAIun Euvpt Sent IL

CAIRO, Egypt, Sept. Is, 1882.
The British occupation at Cairo has now
become reality. At the beginning 1t was
scarcely more than name. Nearly all
the troops have arrived. They have been
marching in hourly through the streets,
the red coats presenting strong contrast
to the blue and white Of the Oriental cos.
tunes. This afternoon and evening the
cafes have been throngcd by English sol,
dlers, enjoying the cool shade and drink.
ing their coffee in orthodox eastern fash.
ION. The men patronize the Arab donkey
extensively as means of locomotlon much
to the amusement Of spectators. AT the
time Of telegraphing the sun Is setting and
a band Is playing lhe national airs.
Police pickets patrol the streets. In the
garden square q vast crowd OF inhabitants
IS assembled. One gathers from CONVEX.
sation with these people that they are still
filled with amazement at the march of the
British cavalry. How IN the face OF Their
troops they forced their way, bringing
Hood, and stores, and men, and even band
of music all the way through the desert is
a mystery which they cannot at all under
stand.
A further circumstance which impress
es the native mind with an idea of British
strength Is the physical proportions Of the
men and horses, which appear almost 81.
gantic as compared with their own.
All eyes are now turned to the coming
festival. The entry of the Khedlve into
the capitol is expected to be made with all
possible pomp and parade, with as much
eclat, indeed, as if he were a monarch be-
ing Installed tor the first time on his throne
He will be surrounded by the flower of the
British army both IN the personnel of its
officers and by picked regiments, including
the Guards, with the Queens son, the Duke
of Connaugbt, at their head.
The spectacle that will be presented Of
an oriental city like this, crowded with
European troops, moving amid strangely
bewildered people, will be one the like OF
which has seldom been seen.
Speculation is still rife as TO the prob.
able fate Of Arab Pasha. HIS place of
custody was changed yesterday
The scene from the bridge which spans
the Nile reminded me to day of the Thames
at Battersea The banks of the river are
lined with trees, there is the sound of
trains ever and anon, boats and carriages
are passing, and all round is the busy hum
OF active life. In all that one sees there
appears nothing to tell OF the vast change
that has taken place in so brief time. 1t
seems like dream rather than reality.
After the garrison had surrendered the
commanding officer of the mounted infan-
try found 1t difficult to keep matters quiet
rs long as he wished Some of the prls-
oners in the citadel escaped, one was shot,
and the rest in chains were Clamoring for
their freedom. 1t was afterwards ascer.
tanned that there had been 800 persons IN
but most of these had effected
their escape. One of the victims was a
farmer from Ramleh who had been Sc
vercly matreated for having given water.
melons to some English soldiers.
There was a terrible scene at the cavalry
barracks today When the Egvntans
quilted the building they left their horses
loose, and being all stations they fought
iiercely, creating trighttul uproar and
leaving large number of them dead.