merchandize to Berber and all places north of the Berber road, according to the stipulated conditions, I now supplement the original Proclamation with the following: The Government are prepared to promptly accept the Petitions of persons desirous of sending merchandize to Berber and to all places north and south of the Berber road, on the distinct understanding that the Government are not responsible for anything that may occur to the merchants, their employés, or their property when once clear of the walls of Suakin; nevertheless, whosoever wishes to send goods to Berber or to places north and south of the Berber road have only to petition the Governor, stating the quantity and description of the goods to be forwarded, when a pass will be given accordingly, without the necessity of guarantee; but in the event of suspected persons endeavouring to leave the town of Suakin with a consignment of goods, the police have the right and power to stop the said suspected person at the gates. To be proclaimed generally by the Chief of the Police. Suakin, October 11, 1887. (Signed) H. H. KITCHENER, Governor-General of the Red Sea Littoral. (No. 2.) You are directed to inform the merchants of the town of Suakin that the Government are prepared to receive Petitions from those desirous of trading between this and the port of Agig, on the understanding that merchandize forwarded hence is both here, and at Agig, under the jurisdiction of the Custom-house, and are not prohibited articles, such as arms, ammunition, &c. Should any prohibited articles be found in the dhows proceeding hence to Agig, the cargo will be confiscated by the Government, and the crew of the dhow and those implicated will be tried by court-martial. The Government have the right of searching all dhows proceeding hence to Agig. The Government do not hold themselves responsible for any harm, damage, or interference that may occur to the merchandize, dhows, or persons engaged in the trade in question. A copy of this Proclamation has been forwarded to Agig for the information and guidance of the Mamour of that port. (Signed) H. H. KITCHENER, Governor-General of the Red Sea Litoral. Suakin, October 11, 1887. No. 130. Sir, War Office to Foreign Office.-(Received November 3.) War Office, November 2, 1887. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to transmit to you, for the information of the Marquis of Salisbury, the inclosed copy of a telegram which has been received from the General Officer commanding in Egypt with regard to affairs in that country. I have, &c. (Signed) RALPH THOMPSON. Inclosure in No. 130. General Sir F. Stephenson to Mr. Stanhope. (Telegraphic.) Cairo, November 2, 1887. CHERMSIDE reports 5,000 to 5,500 fighting dervishes under thirteen Ameers between Dongola and Wady Halfa; ten of these Ameers at enemy's head-quarters at Sarras, where are some 2,500 fighting dervishes. Enemy's base advanced from Dongola to Firket, where Beit-el-Mal now established. [71] N 2 No. 131. The London Chamber of Commerce to the Marquis of Salisbury.-(Received November 4.) My Lord, Botolph House, Eastcheap, London, November 2, 1887. I HAVE the honour to inform your Lordship that the question of opening up trade with the Soudan through Suakin and the adjacent tribal ports of the Egyptian Red Sea Littoral has engaged the attention of many influential members of this Chamber and others in association with them. Such a trade, if opened up, would very largely contribute to the pacification and material development of the Soudan; but, in view of the hitherto unsettled condition of the country, any new enterprise would necessarily be attended with considerable risk. From the point of view of British trade, however, the importance of obtaining unrestricted access to such a district-possessing, as it does, rich and varied natural resources, and affording an extensive new market for British goods-must be admitted; and your Lordship will therefore realize the desirability of merchants and others interested being able, if possible, to obtain precise information as to the intentions of Her Majesty's Government in opening, and keeping open, these ports for trade both by land and sea. Under existing conditions, it is equally important that those engaged in legitimate trade with the Soudanese tribes should have an assurance that they may rely upon the good offices of the Representatives of Her Majesty's Government at Suakin. I am respectfully to ask your Lordship to favour the Chamber with any information which may bear upon these subjects, and which your Lordship may be pleased to place at the disposal of those interested through the medium of this Chamber. I am, &c. My Lord, Sir E. Baring to the Marquis of Salisbury.-(Received November 7.) Cairo, October 30, 1887. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's despatch of the 14th instant. I observed that the Circular inclosed in Mr. Portal's despatch of the 12th July was not signed by any British subjects. Before addressing your Lordship, therefore, I thought it desirable to ascertain, through Mr. Cookson, the views of the leading members of the English community at Alexandria on the subject. These views have now been communicated to me in the shape of remarks on a Decree drafted two or three years ago by Mr. Clifford Lloyd, with the object of creating a Municipality at Alexandria. The observations sent to me by Mr. Cookson will probably be of great use at a later stage of the proceedings, but it is perhaps unnecessary that I should communicate them in full to your Lordship at present, as they deal mostly with the details of the project. Generally, I may say that the British community would welcome the creation of a Municipality. Their views, therefore, are in general accord with the Circular inclosed in Mr. Portal's despatch, but they add this rather important proviso: "that they are unanimously of opinion that, however desirable the creation of a Municipality may be, any scheme which involves directly or indirectly an increase of taxation will meet with universal opposition, the more especially as it is almost certain that the revenue derived from the Road Commission will cease on the 15th March, 1888." The Road Commission, I may observe, is a representative body of merchants, who for the last few years have imposed certain taxes at Alexandria, which are voluntarily paid, and the proceeds of which are devoted to keeping the streets in repair, &c. I have also spoken to Nubar Pasha on this subject. I found him strongly in favour of creating a Municipality at Alexandria. His Excellency attaches especial importance as a matter of principle to obtaining from the Powers their assent to the proposal that the Municipality should have the right of imposing taxes. Sir E. Vincent is also in favour of creating a Municipality at Alexandria. In fact, a proposal of this nature formed part of the general plan which he submitted to the Egyptian Government a short time ago in connection with the financial arrangements of 1888. I have been unable to discuss the matter with Sir E. Vincent since the receipt of your Lordship's despatch under reply, as he has unfortunately been detained at Alexandria through illness. So far, therefore, as the principle is concerned there is a tolerably general agreement of opinion. The main difficulty I anticipate is in connection with the financial arrangements necessary to give effect to the proposal contained in the Circular. Your Lordship will have observed from the remarks submitted to me by the British community that they would object to any increase of taxation, and farther, they look to a relief of taxation by the abolition of the dues heretofore voluntarily paid to the Road Commission. These views are probably shared by Europeans of other nationalities resident in Alexandria. On the other hand, the embarrassed state of the Egyptian finances will not permit the Egyptian Government to incur any large extra expenditure, or to sacrifice any revenue, unless they can recoup themselves by the adoption of other fiscal measures to make good the loss of money. Much therefore depends on the view taken by the Egyptian Government on the general programme for 1888 submitted to them by Sir E. Vincent, and now under their consideration. I cannot say anything very definite on this subject as yet, as the discussion has been delayed pending Sir E. Vincent's recovery from illness. There are two points of somewhat important detail on which I should wish to add some observations. Your Lordship will observe that in the Circular inclosed in Mr. Portal's despatch it is proposed that the Municipal Corporation should consist of sixty members. The British community think, and I am inclined to agree with them, that so large a number would be inconvenient, and constitute an inefficient working body. They propose to limit the number to twenty-five. The Circular also proposes that the Corporation should consist of three-fourths Europeans and one-fourth Egyptians. When this project was under discussion some two or three years ago, Nubar Pasha was opposed to the idea of giving a prepon derating vote to the Europeans. I understand, however, that he is prepared to withdraw his opposition on this point. Alexandria is practically more a European than a native town, and I think it would be only just and desirable to place a majority of Europeans on the Board; the proportion of three-fourths and one-fourth seems, however, somewhat excessive, three-fifths and two-fifths would perhaps be better. These and other points of detail can, however, form the subject of future discussion. For the present it will be sufficient for me to say that I think that the idea of creating a Municipality at Alexandria, with certain powers of taxation, may advantageously meet with the general concurrence and support of Her Majesty's Government. The details must be further discussed between the authorities of the Egyptian Government and the leading members of the community, European and native, at Alexandria. I need hardly add that I should very gladly welcome the assistance and co-operation of my German colleague in this matter, especially in bringing about a fair compromise on those points on which the views of the Egyptian Government and the European community at Alexandria are likely to conflict. No. 133. I have, &c. Sir, Foreign Office to London Chamber of Commerce. Foreign Office, November 8, 1887. I AM directed by the Marquis of Salisbury to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant on the subject of trade with the Soudan, and in reply to your inquiries, I am to state that it has been decided by the Egyptian Government to open trade fully at Suakin, with only such restrictions as are necessary for custom-house purposes, and to prevent the importation of arms and ammunition. Such trade must, however, be carried on at the merchants' own risk. South of Ras Kasar the coast of the Red Sea is under the surveillance of the Italian authorities, who have expressed the intention of opening a port at Taklai, where trade will be allowed under the same conditions. the I am to add that British merchants may, as a matter of course, count upon good offices of Her Majesty's Representatives in Egypt in all matters connected with their business in so far as official assistance can properly be afforded to them. A copy of a despatch from Her Majesty's Agent and Consul-General at Cairo, forwarding the Proclamation issued by Colonel Kitchener, opening Agig and all places north and south of the Berber Road to trade, is inclosed for the information of your Chamber.* I am, &c. My Lord, No. 134. Mr. Egerton to the Marquis of Salisbury.-(Received November 9.) Paris, November 8, 1887. M. FLOURENS begged me to inform your Lordship that he proposed to appoint Comte d'Aubigny to replace Comte d'Aunay as French Agent at Cairo. He trusted the choice would be agreeable to Her Majesty's Government; indeed, he had in great measure made the choice with that view, as he considered that M. d'Aubigny, having some experience of England, and being known as he believed favourably in his official capacity there, would be likely to work well with his English colleague, and he hoped the latter would work well also with M. d'Aubigny. I have, &c. The Marquis of Salisbury to Baron von Plessen. M. le Chargé d'Affaires, Her Majesty's Agent and Consul-General in Egypt will gladly welcome the assistance and co-operation of his German colleague in this matter, and especially in bringing about a fair compromise on those points on which the views of the Egyptian Government and the European community at Alexandria may possibly conflict. No. 136. I have, &c. Sir, The Marquis of Salisbury to Mr. Egerton. Foreign Office, November 14, 1887. I HAVE received and laid before the Queen your despatch of the 8th instant, reporting that M. Flourens had informed you that he proposed to appoint Count d'Aubigny as French Agent at Cairo, and had expressed his hope that this choice. would be agreeable to Her Majesty's Government. I have to request that you will offer my best thanks to M. Flourens for this courteous and friendly communication, and will state that the selection of Count d'Aubigny is very satisfactory to Her Majesty's Government. It is the earnest hope of Her Majesty's Government that the British and French Agents in Egypt should work cordially together, and I shall have pleasure in sending any instructions which may tend to insure that result. I am confident that Count d'Aubigny will find Sir E. Baring willing and anxious to maintain the most friendly relations with him. No. 137. My Lord Sir E. Baring to the Marquis of Salisbury.—(Received December 12.) Cairo, December 4, 1887. I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith the text of a Khedivial Decree, which appeared in the "Journal Officiel" of yesterday, convoking the General Assembly for the 24th of this month. The principal question to be discussed by the General Assembly will be the increase of taxation on tobacco. Vu l'Article 39 de la Loi Organique du 24 Gamad-Akher, 1300 (1a Mai, 1883); Sur la proposition de Notre Conseil des Ministres ; Décrétons: Article 1. L'Assemblée Générale est convoquée pour le Samedi, 9 Rabi-Akher, 1305 (24 Décembre, 1887). Art. 2. Notre Président du Conseil des Ministres est chargé de l'exécution du présent Décret. Fait au Palais d'Abdin, le 15 Rabi-Awal, 1305 (30 Novembre, 1887). Sir E. Baring to the Marquis of Salisbury.—(Received by telegraph, December 12.) My Lord, Cairo, December 12, 1887. I HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship herewith copy of a telegram which I have received from Her Majesty's Consul at Suakin respecting affairs in the Eastern Soudan. The text of this telegram was this day communicated to your Lordship by telegraph. Inclosure in No. 138.' I have, &c. (Telegraphic.) Consul Cameron to Sir E. Baring. Suakin, December 12, 1887. THE force of friendlies sent against Tokar began to lift cattle, whereupon they were attacked, routed, and dispersed in hills beyond Tamai. This victory makes the Tokar people masters outside, and spoils hope of reconciliation and trade. |