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The treaty will be signed at five o'clock this afternoon. It is ratifiable after fifty days. The Japanese expect to leave tomorrow, the Russians on Wednesday.
(Later). 'The treaty of peace was signed this afternoon. (Reuter)
The Tsar's telegram to General Linievitch says that Japan yielded to Russia's demands upon all the conditions. (Reuter)
The peace treaty will be signed tomorrow. (Havas)
Yesterday, at a banquet at Peterhof in honor of the Shah, the Tear's toast expressed his desire to demonstrate personally his pleasure in renewing his assurance of friend-ship and his best wishes for the prosperity of Persia. The Shah replied, profoundly thanking he Tsar for his cordial reception. He drank to iis prosperity and greatness. (Reuter)
The French ultimatum to Morocco expires tomorrow. ( Reuter)
Prince and Princess Nicholas of Greece have been staying here. The Sultan showed them narked attention. This is regarded as indicat-ing a rapprochement of Turkey and Greece regarding Macedonia. (Reuter)
Official despatches received here show that the rebellion in East Africa is becoming formidable, and is spreading to districts hitherto regarded as being loyal. The caravans en route for the Great Lakes have been attacked. The Europeans in the region of the Ruaha River have been murdered. (Reuter)
Until now there have been in Prussia 66 cases of cholera, of which 23 were fatal. (Reuter)
Seventy cases of cholera have been notified in Prussia and twenty-three deaths. (Havas)
Four persons were killed and about sixty injured by the bomb explosion of the day before yesterday. (Havas)
H.H. the Khedive has arrived. (Havas)
Mr. J. C. Maclaren arrived by the Austrian Lloyd boat yesterday.
We regret to announce the death, which occurred last night at Mammern, Switzerland of M. Aziz Georges Mabardi, a partner in the well-known firm of Messra. Steinemann, Mabardi and Company, of Alexandria.
A native boy was found dead in a house in the Bab Sidra Barrani on Sunday. This is only case of plague reported in yesterday's bulletin.
found in the Boulac quarter of Cairo daring to morrow night and at dawn of the 7th inst. will bo poisoned by the police.
The editor of "Al Khilas," a native satirical journal was condemned yesterday by the Saida Zeinab Summary Court to nine months imprisonments with hard labour for diffamation of character.
A goods train ran off the lino hear the Matarieh Station on Sunday night owing it is said to the driver having taken a curve at excessive speed. Traffic was delayed till a late hour on Monday morning by the accident.
On the occasion of the ninth anniversary of this society a grand "soirre de gala" will be held at the Mex Casino on Saturday next, commencing at 9.30 p.m. The casino will be illuminated, there will be a display of fireworks, and it will also be made the occasion of the last ball of the season.
One of our native contemporaries recently published an extraordinary tale according to which Mansfield Pasha was hastening from England to remonstrate with Mr. Moberly who had sold two lambs and some pigeons belonging to the Chief of the Cairo Police. Though it referred to lambs and doves the tale proved to merit the title of "a cock-and-bull story."
A slight outbreak of fire occur at 16, Rue Abou Dardar, Alexandria, the other day bat was quickly extinguished. The damages could not be recovered from the insurers, "La Polar" Sociere Anonyme d'Assurances, Bilbas, but M G. Kaul. agent of the insurance company, very generously subscribed the whole amount The house in which the fire broke oat is a ladies' pension which is managed by the Religious Sisters of Notre Dame de Delivrande.
It appears that the name of the employe killed by the explosion of the first firework at Ras el Tin on September 1 was Ali Awad and not Adb el Meguid Effendi Hamdi, as we were first informed by the gouvernorat. The deceased, an employe of the Army Stores Department, was sent to Alexandria to light the fuses of the mortars from which the rockets were discharged. He was literally blown to pieces by the banting of the first mortar fired, which appears to have been overcharged at Cairo. Gellab Wahba, who was also wounded, expired two hours after reaching the Government hospital.
The sixth performance of the "Union Artistique Francaise" will be given at the Eden Theatre to-morrow evening, commencing at 9 p m. The first part of the programme will consist of an orchestral piece, the waltz "Eternelle Folie," and a pianoforte solo, "Trot da Cavalier," played by Mme Barabino, and this will be followed by the one act comedy entitled Les Deux Timides. The second part will commence with the waltz, "Belle capriciense" played by the orchestra, after which M. H. Tirinanzi will give a flute solo, accompanied on the piano by M. Corbo, and Mme Barbarino and her daughter of six yean of age will then play a pianoforte duet. The one-act comic opera, A Clichy, will be played in this part. The third part of the programme will consist of a violin solo by M. Corbo, a pianoforte solo by Mme Barbarino, and the comedy entitled La Grammaire.
There are not very many spots in Egypt which have such an historical past as the Ghizeh Pyramids, but hitherto residents and others desirous of visiting the Pyramids have found it rather inconvenient in the way of obtaining refreshments. It is therefore with very great pleasure that we note the enterprise that has filled a long-felt want by the establishment of a bar and restaurant there. Excellent arrangements have been made for catering of every description at the "Pyramids" bar and restaurant situated opposite Mena House Hotel,at the foot of the Pyramids. One can obtain everything one requires to satisfy the inner man here, at very reasonable, rates. A sure guarantee that all the mineral waters, wines, spirits, beers etc. retailed at this bar and restaurant are of the best quality, is the fact that they are supplied by Mr. N. Spatis, the well-known merchant and mineral water manufacturer.
We would draw the attention of manufacturers and merchants to the work of the British Chamber of Commerce of Egypt, which was formed in 1896 with the sole object of assisting British trade in this country. The services of the Chamber are always at the disposal of any member desiring information on trade matters generally, including the question of appointing suitable agents. As no fee is charged for such advice, it is obviously in the interests of all British traders hero to become members, especially when it is remembered that the annual subscription is merely the nominal one of £1. The latter payment also includes a copy of the monthly Journal issued by the Chamber. Home enquirers can obtain farther particulars from our London office, 86 New Broad-street, which acts as agents to the Chamber.
Sir Ernest Cassel has met the managers of the Sucreries et Raffineries d'Egypte in consultation at Paris, and Maltre Carton de Wiart was also present The question which the meeting was called together to decide was the possibility of convening a meeting of shareholders, but the matter was left in abeyance, as it is uncertain whether Egyptian law permits the summoning of a shareholder's meeting in such a manner. It is possible that the sole right of calling together such a meeting rests with the liquidator appointed by the Cairo courts. The conference was adjourned until to-day.
The new hotel at Luxor now being erected by the Upper Egypt Hotels Co., is situated on the river bar à just before Mr. Irsingers' house, known to most tourists as the "Dutchman's castle." The hotel is being built on a site covering eighteen teddans. There will be about 50 rooms, 24 of which will have a bathroom attached. There is also a magnificent ball, and two large covered verandahs, one of which faces the river. Tourists will also find a large billiard room 'and some fine tennis courts. The water supply has also received special attention, an artesian well having been bored for the exclusive use of the hotel. This fine hotel will be opened in the season of 1907, and the present Luxor Hotel will bo used as an auxiliary to it
The well known Cataract Hotel at Assouan is to be enlarged for the coming season. One new wing is being added on the west side comprising several private suites, and another 40 bedrooms. Mr. Pagnon has also decided to enlarge the present hall, which has always been so much in favor with tourists.
The splendid hotel can now accomodate 300 people and it is said that orders are already flowing in for rooms to be reserved. The hotel will open as usual the first week in November.
There is a generally expressed opinion among most old residents, including Dr. Abbate Pasha, president of the Khedivial Geographical Society, who has resided over 50 years in this country, that the climate of Egypt is undergoing a gradual change and the reason assigned is that, owing to the Assouan Reservoir and the various irrigation works recently established, the area of cultivated land has enormously increased of late, and in consequence the amount of water evaporation is greater. The Suez Canal is also supposed by some to have contributed in bringing about the change.
A report was spread some time ago that the Sphinx at Ghizeh disclosed signs of crumbling, owing to those altered meteorological conditions, but careful inquiries showed that the rumours were untrue and Captain Lyons, director-general of the Survey Department, who is an acknowledged authority on such matters, has recently stated that none of the observations made daring late years indicate any gradual or permanent change in the climate. Judging by the experiences of the summer now drawing to a close it certainly does not give residents, especially of Cairo, any reason for thinking that the heat is growing less, for this has been one of the most trying of hot seasons.
Our Suez correspondent writes under yesterday's date as follows: —
The seven French destroyers, end torpedo-boats came out of the Canal yesterday at 4.30 p.m., after a very quick run through, and moored in the Port Ibrahim basin, waiting for the cruiser Foudre, which arrived here in the forenoon to-day and anchored in the roads.
The squadron will sail to-morrow at noon for Djibouti
We are informed that the incident, which toot place on the quays on Tuesday the 29 th ult, the importance of which has been much exaggerated, has been closed to the satisfaction of all parties.
The lady therein concerned, wishing to avoid all unfriendly comment on the energetic movement that escaped her in a moment of over excitement, has, of her own accord, withdrawn the complaint she made against the Custom House employes, while the latter, deferring to the wishes of the acting director-general of the Customs Administration, with-drew their action against the lady in question. The tact and courtesy that have led to this happy solution deserve a generous recognition.
I hear from Athens that M. Rallys, President of the Council of Ministers, replying at a meeting held at Volo to the deputies of that district, who demanded State aid for the purpose of increasing the tobacco export of Volo, stated that the final negotiations for a new commercial treaty between Egypt and Greece were to be opened in the near future, and that the Hellenic Government's first care would be the safeguarding of the interests of the Thessalian tobacco-growers. M. Rallys added that he hoped that all divergencies of opinion between the Governments referring to the cultivation of hashish in Greece and to the closing of Greek gambling houses in Egypt, would soon be settled to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Last week M. Anders, Dragoman of the German Consulate General at Cairo, arrived here on leave. M. Eugene von Kuczynski, formerly Austro-Hungarian Consul General at Alexandria, and actually Minister at Rio-de-Janeiro, has been transferred, so say the Vienna papers, to Pekin. M. Guy the dragoman of the French Embassy here, is to be transferred, as you doubtless know, to Cairo end his place will be taken by M. Bougani, recently attached to the Consulate-General et Muscat.
His Excellency the High Commissioner who is accompanied by his wife and family, is now making a stay of two or three days at the Monastery of Kykkou, which is situated in a romantic and picturesque spot in the Southern range.
The post of Director of Agriculture, which has been vacant for eight months, since the resignation of Mr. Gennadius in December last, has been given to Mr. Diomedes Saracomenos. This gentleman was for many years Professor of Natural Science in the Gymnasia of Athens, and also a sub-director of the School of Agriculture of that city, and was for seven years Director of the Agricultural Stations at Misso-longhi and Corfu. He holds the diplomas of the Institut Agronomique de Peris and of the Academie des Sciences (Sorbonne) Peris. He has now taken up his duties. Many matters will call for his early attention, and it is likely that an impetus will now be given to the experimental cultivation of cotton, cereals, and other seeds and plants. It is known that Professor Wyndham Dunstan, F. R. S., the Secretary to the Imperial Institute, was out here last spring for the express purpose of examining into and reporting upon the possibilities of developing the agricultural resources of the Island, and some practical results of his investigations and recom mendations may now, perhaps, be looked for. The agricultural prosperity of Cyprus may by truly raid to depend, in large measure, upon its water supply, and, of late years, efforts have not been wanting to improve end aug-ment the facilities for irrigation. The formation of large reservoirs in the Messaoria at a considerable expense have not, as yet, fulfilled the hopes that were entertained respecting them, and although, no doubt, that undertaking need not be regarded as valueless, further outlay will, undoubtedly, be needed before these reservoirs can be put to thorough utility. At present they ere mainly dependent upon the river water for their supply, but as this comes down in flood only during a few days in the year, and is then largely tapped by riparian villagers, but a small quantity reaches the reservoirs. If this thorny question could be satisfactorily solved, we should probably see a greet deal of land, now idle, put. into regular cultivation. The attempts at Artesian boring now being carried out at Nicosia are therefore, of intense general interest We understand that the boring has now reached a depth of nearly 350 feet.
The weather, which was fairly hot last week, averaging, at Nicosia, from 99° to 102° Fahrenheit has now been become cooler, and indeed there is little to complain of as regards the temperature here. At Troodoe, we hear, it has been quite fresh, particularly at nights, and those living in tents have needed additional coverings.
By order of the new Chief Commandant of Police, the zaptiehs now wear white cloths over their fezes, which fall over their necks, and, besides being picturesque they should afford a grateful protection from the sun's rays.
Railway enterprises in Turkey without kilo-metric guarantee are apt to prove financial failures in their incipient stage, things progress so slowly in that Empire. The Beyront-Damsscus narrow gauge line has had particularly disastrous results owing to multifarious reasons. British influence which—thanks to the vigilance and diplomatic skill of its representative has since taken the ascendency - had, at the period of the construction of the line, not quite supplanted French political preponderance in the Lebanon, and France considered herself the chief protector of the semi-independent province, and it is thought that the line was made to wind over such awkward heights of the Mountain chiefly to please the Lebanese and form a sort of iron link to farther knit the friendship, and strengthen the bond between France and its protege. It is not an uncommon thing for the chivalrous French to allow their feelings to get the better of their practical sense. Political and personal reasons caused the railroad to he constructed through a most awkward country, the gradients at some acclivities of the Lebanon being at as much as seven metres per kilometre. Then the extravagances and robberies in the contract department are said to have been so general, that it is estimated the cost of building the line was more than twice as much as it would have been, were the expenditure judicious and the contracts works works entrusted to honest hands, and subjected to proper control.
Even then had it not been for the extension to Homs-Hama the concern would still be a losing one. The consumption of coal involved in the crossing of those steep gradients of the Lebanon is enormous, while the capacity of the locomotives is thereby considerably limited. These disabilities have further been accentuated by inadequate management of which there have been, and are still, glaring instances. The catastrophe of the year before last is too notorious to require anything beyond mere mention, while the various minor accidents that occured daring last summer owing to the insufficiency of old locomotives and the large influx of passengers, all point to far from vigilant control and intelligent management The local directors here throw the blame on the central administration, which limits their field of action, and does not encourage any spirit of initiative on their part This is the evil of centralisation, which found its apotheosis in the Russian bureaucracy.
The passenger service daring the summer months yields important receipts, but there is nothing done to improve it Indeed the pas-, sengers' comfort would not have been more lightly thought of had all those respectable folks been so many dumb cattle. The first-class carriages are fitted up more wretchedly than third-class carriages in other civilized countries, while the second-class carriages do not differ from cattle trains, except in being fitted up with straight and uncomfortable wooden benches. But this is not all. The windows of the first-class compartments have no blinds, and as the suburban train starts from Beyront at about 5 p.m. the passengers are subjected to a semi-tropical sun for about two hours, while after sunset the primitive looking oil lamps fixed to the ceiling do not sometimes give any light, owing presumably to the bad quality of the oil, or more likely to utter neglect. I had to use up almost a whole match-box' to find my stick on arrival the other day at Aley in the dark.
And over and above all this the company imposes such onerous conditions on the passengers, and especially the subscribers among them, and ignores so totally the elementary principles of reciprocity of rights that one is forced to the belief that the company considers the service it performs as a gratuitous one, and one, therefore that should be accepted by the country as a boon.
But reform has been known to follow often eat after great abases, and some seem to see signs of awakening on the part of the company, and they put their trust in the change of management. Indeed I have known the present director, while he was yet acting-director, to take such an active and sincere interest in the question of the satisfaction of the passengers that he would in person go at early hoars to the station to see things for himself. The chief cause of complaint was lately the insufficiency of carriages. and it has been decided by the present director that whenever a train was filled a supplementary one should be added, to start soon after the first train, and carry the passengers that had been left behind, thus avoiding en-cumbrance and the danger of straining the locomotive through overloading. A farther grievance is the foot that passengers provided with first-class tickets have sometimes for want of room to go into second-class compartments and vice-versa. Surely the company can know the number of places available and can therefore instruct the ticket clerk not to issue any tickets in excess of the number of places allotted. But let us hope with the optimists that under the new management a new era of reform will be inaugurated. "This is a consummation devoutly to be wished."
It is to be hoped, however, that reform in other directions will be effect-ed as well. A most injudicious economy i. still being displayed in the remuneration of the staff employes. Ex-chauffeurs with inferior salaries have taken the place of certificated engineer, engaged in France on the initiation of the work of exploitation, regardless of the risk to life and property that this might involve. It is true that the appointments of the French Heads of Depart-ments have also been sensibly reduced, but still a great disproportion exists between the renumeration of the superior and subordinate employes. The latter, upon whom the largest and hardest share of the work devolves, such as station masters, eta, are paid pitiful salaries, and out of all proportion with the output of work performed. Their only fault perhaps is the fact of being natives, for since the company has been able to pay', liberal bonuses to its directors it could have meted out the same treatment to its other servants, who have not contributed lees actively to the development of its business because they are leas conspicuous. The company must realise that insufficiently paid labour must necessarily end by being inefficient, and in their own interest, and in mere consideration of the principles of justice and humanity, it is to be hoped that due attention will he paid to this question of the remuneration of the secondary employes.
The extension from Rayak to Homs and Hama is a broad gauge line, and although the passengers on that line are mostly filthy peasants, and men of rather primitive habits, yet the carriages are fitted up in a comparatively luxuriant style.
The Homs-Hama extension served to develop, considerably the traffic of the company, and, as a natural corollary, widened the scope of. the commercial activities of Beyrout, while it reduced the port of Tripoli to a nullity. All the exports of wool and grain that used to find outlet at Tripoli have been diverted to Beyront, thanks to the railway. The advantages of rail carriage are manifestly superior to transport by the primitive means of camel and mules. Besides the economy of time and punctual delivery, more or lees, there is the fact of greater security, which is an important consideration for the insurance. But the narrow line of Beyrout seems to fail to answer the requirements of the traffic, and fulfil all these advantages. The grain crops of the Homs and Hama districts being exceptionally abundant this year, it is estimated that no less than 40,000 tons of barley, beans, etc. but chiefly cf the first-named article, will be destined for exportation. But I have heard it said that the railway company frankly avowed its inability to carry more than half of this quantity, and the remainder will have to lie over till next year or be transported on camel back to Tripoli As our grain exports are chiefly destined for the United Kingdom, the matter necessarily affects British maritime interests, for loading in a sheltered harbour is infinitely more expeditions than in an open roadstead, and quick despatch is a matter of vital importance to shipping. The present director is doing his best to cope with this increased demand of commerce, and they say that in addition to the six trains that have heretofore been running each way daily between Rayak and Beyrout, another eight trains are to be farther put in use. But the evil is inherent and lies in the defectiveness of the line both to respect of its narrowness and steepness. The tonnage capacity of the trains is by far too restricted.
Heavy rains keep coming down on the railway lines and washing them away in several places, and it is only with the greatest difficulty that the lines can be kept in position. Many trains from here had to be suspended owing to the line being broken in several places. Bimbashi Sowerby, Bimbashi Lord. and Mr. Hickley, with all their gangs of thousands, are working day and night the heavy torrents of rein to repair the broken parts.
I have much pleasure in informing yon that Mr. Warn and Mr. Archer, who were lately scalded by an explosion of a steam pipe in the condensor, have now completely recovered, and both have resumed their duties. All the damaged parts in the condensor have been replaced and a new lime-catcher supplied ; the unlucky Suakin railway condensor is now at work once more end turning out very pure water.
The following is to-morrow's handicap when two handsome cups given by the Commodore will be raced for : —