Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-09
Freedom of Religion.

and 24.Ol8 Protestants.
Freedom of Religion.
The Mohammedans of Egypt are much
more liberal and tolerant than members of
their faith in other parts of Islam, and
such fanaticism exists Is kept in check
by the police and the large foreign popula-
ton. Ii is the uniform testimony of Chris
tan missionaries that they are allowed to
worship and teach without Interference of
any kind and religion Is as free as 1t Is in
the United States.
The Copts are the descendants Of the an
cient Egyptians and are the cleverest and
best-educated portion of the native popua-
ton. They furnish the professions. flll the
government offices and clerical positions.
st. Mark. who came to Alexandria after the
crucihxion. converted them to Christian
ity and before the end of the third century
they had very generally accepted that
faith. At the council of Chalcedon in tho
year 451. however. they separated them
selves from the rest of the church by refus-
ing TO accept the dogma that Christ had a
double nature. They denied that he was
human. and insisted that he was only di-
vine. and to that belief they have adhered
until the present moment 1t is the chief
point Of Importance in their creed. 1t is
quite difficult to distinguish Copts from the
Greek Catholics. and there is really very
little difference In their teachings and forms
'Of worship. This sect is almost exclusively
confined to Egypt, Abyssinia and other At
!rican countries and the head is the patri-
arch of Alexandria.
The Bedouins are the descendants OF
Esau. They dwell in tents of cancels hair
IN the desert and have large herds and
,flocks. They are also engaged in the trans
portation business by camel caravans and
are famous for their endurance. their cour-
age and their loyalty: but 1t is said that
when they settle down to village or town
.life they soon lose manly qualities so much
admired in the desert nomads and acquire
habits Of dissipation and depravity.
The Jews of Egypt. as elsewhere. are
most important part of the community and
control financial and commercial affairs to
a great extent They are bankers. money
lenders exporting and importing merchants.
and are conspicuous for their enterprise and
wealth. They adapt themselves to customs
and circumstances with the same facility
that they show elsewhere. and many of
them wear the Arab dress and the NOLAN
medan fez.
The Greeks are also conspicuous in COM
mercial circles and are quite as important
as the Jews. They own some of the best
property, and control some Of the most
profitable enterprises In Egypt. They make
money rapidly, are prudent in their invest
ments and economical in their habits. The
same may be said OF the Armenians. who
number several hundred and occupy similar
positions in the commercial community.
The laborng class are chiefly Arabs with
considerable number Of Nubians. who are
very black and are usually employed as do
mestic servants. They can be depended
upon for honesty and obedience. learn read
lily and are efficient and intelligent in the
performance of their duty.
The English Population.
The English population are mostly en-
gagged In the government offices. There are
probably twelve or fifteen hundred In the
several departments of the Administered ton
with a few French, German and Italians
They receive large salaries. twice as much
as natives In corresponding positions and
about twice as much they would be paid
In similar service in England. They control
the social life OF Egypt, lead all the sports
and amusements, organize the clubs and set
the fashions In every Egyptian city there
is Church of England establishment, with
a chaplain. a school and regular services on
Sunday. Wherever an Englishman goes he
carries his Bible and his prayer book with
him
The British military element. which
numbers about 5000 officers and men. is
much in evidence. 1t is scarcely possible
to enter hotel. cafe, a club or any
other public place. or walk a block upon
the streets of Cairo, without meeting ar
officer in the uniform of the British army
and, naturally, this is favorable post
because of the climate, the comfortab BILE
quarters. the social pleasures and the adj
ditional income, for both officers and pri-
Yates receive double pay and enjoy dou-
BILE rank for the time being. A captain is
q colonel, Lieutenant is a captain, and
he has two paymasters, one representing
the King OF England and the other the
him the allowance due to his brevet rank
cairo Is an expensive place to live. how
ever, and that is the Justification for the
rule
Naturally there is difference of opin-
Ion as to the necessity OF maintaining a
British garrison in Egypt while a regular
native army of G0.00o troops is always
under arms. The Egyptians would will
insly dispense with 1t. for they consider
IL superhuous humiliation and an inva
Sion or their rights. but the British goy-
eminent looks at the subject from a diff
ferent point OF view, and, speaking from
experience. benevolently declares that
the protection of foreign interests res
CURES the presence of a considerable
force. which, as a matter OF policy. h
made as conspicuous as possible in order
70 keep the Egyptian impressed with the
idea that John Bull IL master here and
that his wishes must be respected.
Lord Cromer the Actual Ruler.
While Egypt ia nominally a province sf