Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-07-13
The Seat of War.

Inc Seat OF w ar.
The present seat Of war, Alexandria,
is city of about 800, 900 inhabitants,
with two harbors, the newest of the
latter being used by small vessels. 1t
is built on the isthmus connecting the
main land with tie island of Pharos,
and on the island itself. A new en-
bankment along the eastern harbor
and the new buildings on the great
square of Mehemet. All have added
greatly to the attractiveness of the
city. The palace of the Pasha and the
lofty harem first strike the strangers
eye on entering the city. Among the
other large buildings are the custom
house, the arsenal, the medical, naval
and other schools The place Mehem-
ct Ali, or grand square of the consuls
is where the greater part of the massa-
cree in the recent riots took place.
This square was the centre of European
Alexandria, The sinking of ships
laden with stone to block the harbor
was the first intimation the English
had of determined resistance on the
part of the Egyptians. This was re-
garded as an act of hostility. Then
the construction of additional defences
in face of the English squadron was
discovered Admiral Seymour at
once posted proclamations charging
violations of faith, and declaring his
intention to open fire in twelve hours
if the work was not Immediately sus-
pended. The European quarter of
the city will be most exposed to the
bombardment.
THE EFFECT ON AMERICAN
COMMERCE.
A New York newspaper says to this
country the question first in mind is
whether war in Egypt will effect
American commerce or finances I'M
favorably. Much talk in Wall street
is based upon the notion that such a
contest would be disastrous to this
country, but it is talk without reason.
If no cotton or wheat from the Nile
were to reach European markets, that
would not be misfortune to Ameri-
can producers, though the British re-
ceipts from that quarter have not of
late been large. If the struggle should
cause an interruption Of the Suez
Canal, however, the loss of supplies to
Great Britain for a time would be
much greater. War means rapid
consumption of iron, clothing and
! food, and would increase the demand
for such products in the very coun-
tries with which we deal most largely.
A much more important effect, at least
in financial circles, would be the in
ceased demand for American securities.
For such securities are always sought
with avidity by European investors
when their own governments are at
war. In struggle of the kind that
is now threatened, into which almost
any government of Europe is liable to
be drawn by the interminable Eastern
question. American securities would
offer the advant age of being almost
the only investment that cannot be
affected unfaVorably by any possible
complication.
THE EGYPTIAN SIDE OF THE CASE
was recently explained in New York
City by Judge Batchelder. one of the
judges Of the international Tribunal
in Egypt. He thinks that Arab Bey
started out as patriot who wished to
relieve MS countrymen of foreign OPP
preston and establish home rule. In
this he was sustained by nine tenths of
the natives They do not like the
foreign interference, brought about by
the extravaganza Of the late Khedive
The present sovereign has assumed
his debts and is practicing economy.
They think the time has now come
when he and his native advisers can
both discharge their obligations to for
eign bondholders, and also manage the
public business. The board of control,
which has been directing things, is
both arrogant and expensive Over
$500, 900 are spent annually in salar-
les to it's officials. This is heavy
burden for a population numbering
only 100000 and with revenue OF
only $40, 100000, of which one hall
is devoted to interest on
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
Noorlv oil tho rovapua oop,oc Fror,