The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-07-25
AN AMERICAN REPORT.
Rear Admiral Nicholson Upon the Con-
dition of Affairs at Alexandria

WASHINGTON, July 24-Rear Admiral Mich
olson, commanding the European station,
makes the following report to the Navy De-
partment upon the state of affairs at Alexan-
dria, Egypt under date of July 9th, 1882.
The riot that occurred on the 11th was certain
ly accidental and it progressed nearly two
hours before becoming alarming. After that
time as the news spread among the populace
it became fanatic, and all foreigners met with
on the street were assaulted. Originally, the
dispute was between Greek Maltese and an
Arab. The rioters were augmented by Bedou-
ins residing outside the walls, who rushed into
the town for plunder and pillage. This the
authorities stopped as soon as possible, by clos
ing the city gates Since the day of tho riot a
panic has existed among foreigners and their
exodus has been very great. At present the
city has but few residents, besides its native
population, and the city isquiet and orderly.
On the first instant called upon lthe COVER
nor Omar Pasha,) and stated as America was
at peace with his country did not consider it
proper that American naval officers lin order
to prevent insult or attack should be obliged
to visit the shore out of their uniform, and
asked whether it would be safe for them to go
there in uniform. He replied he thought it
safe, provided they came ashore ia the day.
time, and did not visit the outskirts; but to
make sure he would detail an officer of his
guard to accompany any and all officers from
the feet, who might wish to land, which offer
1 accepted, and accordingly issued special or
der for officers to visit Alexandria only be-
tween 10 a. m. and p. M, and then only in
uniform and in company with an officer OF the
Egyptian army.
On the third instant all the men-of-war in
the port dressed their ships with the Turkish
flag at the main, from a. m. until sunset, the
celebration of the birthday of the Sultan. This
was done at the request of Dervisch Pasha.
On the I'd inst. / also notified the Egyptian au-
thorities and sall nationalities represented
ashore and ahoat, that the next day being the
national anniversary of our Independence L
should dress the ship from sunrise to sunset,
and fire salute of 81 guns at noon, requesting
them to join us. This was done, and VEN
ture to say never before has SO grand, as well
as beautiful a celebration been seen.
On the 4th called upon the Egyptian Vice
Admiral on shore an6 he returned the call. On
the 9TH Zulia Ficar Pasha, Governor, returned
my call of the 1st, he having been appointed
in the place of Omar Pasha, who was granted
leave of absence.
The only Americans can learn of at present
in Egypt are two missionaries ION board ship;
one man from New Orleans ION board ship
Judge FarmaD of the mixed court, on shore at
Alexandria; G. Long, acting consular agent at
Alexandria, on shore at Alexandria; General
Stone and family, in the service OF the khe-
dive. on shore at Cairo Vice Consular General
Camonos, on shore at Cairo, also few refugees
on board who are servants employed by the
late consular agent Baron Manasse. (They are
not AmellcanS); also one belgian COnSul Gen-
eral of Sweden has called on board to return
thanks for an offer of refuge, which offer would
be accepted in case of necessity, Sweden hav-
ing no vessels in port
Another letter has been received from Rear
Admiral Nicholson dated Alexandria, Egypt,
June Sd. inclosiDg copies of letters from Com
mander Batcheller, commanding Galena, re-
porting the course pursued by him since the
arrival of the Galena at Alexandria which ac-
ton Admiral Nicholson has approved Mich.
olson states since his arrival at Alexandria he
has given refuge to all persons of any national
ity asking protectionswhoselco country has no yes
sci of war in port. Hc also reports June 30th,
there is not more than six Americans in Egypt
and of these majority hold office. Admiral
Nicholson says he will remain at Alexandria
while need for so doing exists. and will dis
perse the squadron as soon as can be done
without prejudice to American interests.
Commander Batcheller's letters give details
of his receiving on board the Galena and car
ing for all who claimed American citizenship
besides certain Austrian and German sub
iects. He was obliged on the 10Th of June to
hire an Italian vessel on which to place many
refugees until they could procure passage to
other ports. Up to the 10Th of June Batchel-
Ter has taken some 250 refugees under his pro-
lection who had all departed by the 23d.
MADRID, July The government has de-
cided to dispatch three additional frigates to
Egypt. One will be situated at Port Said, an
other at Suez and the third at Ismaila.