The Messageries Maritimes S.S. Congo, from Merseilles, passed the Straits of Messina on Saturday and it is due here to-morrow morning.

The Moss liner Ramesses arrived this morning from Liverpool via Gibraltar and Malta with passengers, mails, and general cargo.

The Moss liner Khephren arrived this morning from Barry with coal.

The Ellerman liner Brittania arrived this morning from Liverpool and Malta with passengers and a general cargo.

The Ellerman liner city of Khios arrived this morning from Constantinople.

The Ellerman liners Arabia and Egyptian will sail to-morrow for Manchester and Liverpool respectively.

Abd el Hamid Bey Abiza writes "Al Moayad" as follows: After my return from Milan, where I attended the recent exhibition, I submitted to the British Agency in Cairo some notes regarding the Egyptian section of the exhibition, which was the worst on show... it contaied disgraceful exhibits, which would do great harm to the reputation of Egypt. Lord Cromer was then absent in London, but his secretary, Mr. Boyle, submitted my notes to his lordship with some remarks added by himself. On receipt of the document Lord Cromer gave special attention to the matter, and put himself in communication with the Italian Ambassador in London, with a view to preventing further such exhibitions in the name of Egypt. The results of his Lordship's communication to the Italian Ambassador were that the Italian Government promised to prohibit any exhibition to be labelled "Egyptian" without the consent of the Egyptian Government. Lord Cromer, on the other hand, promised that the Egyptian Government would hence-forth undertake the organisation of the Egyptian section in any international show.

Major-General Bullock, C.B., commanding the Army of Occupation, telegraphed to His Majesty the King as follows-

"Major General Bullock and all ranks of the Army of Occupation in Egypt send their loyal Congragulations to His Majesty on the anniversary of His Birthday."

The following gracious reply has been recieved: "I am desired by His Majesty to express his thanks to you and all ranks of the Army of Occupation in Egypt for telegram of congratulations on His Birthday - Equerry."

Mohammad Wahid Bey, a notable in Cairo, sent the following telegram to His Majesty: "His Majesty Kind Edward, London. Humbly offer your Majesty respectful Congratulations on your anniversary and pray God in appreciative Egyptians who enjoy peace and prosperity under British auspices to add many more years to your precious life and long preserve your august and gracious person for the benefit of mankind."

In answer to the above congratulations the following telegram was recieved: "Sandringham. Mohaman Wahid, Helonan. I am commanded by His Majesty to thank you for your kind congratulations and good wishes - Equerry."

The Khedive returned to Montazah from Ras-el Tinon Saturday evening. His Highness has decided to leave for Cairo officialy on the 24th inst.

The following War Office Order has been published - "With reference to the War Office Gazette N. 43 of 1906 notifying the retirement of Miralai G.B. Macauley Bey C.M.G>, the Sirdar desires to place on record the good work performed by this officer during the time he has served in his Highnesses Army. Miralai Macauley Bey joined the Sudan Govermnent Railways in December 1896 and has held the appointment of dorector for seven years. The satisfactory administration of the railways under somewhat adverse conditions, the able direction, and the many surveys undertaken by the Sudan Government, and notably the extension of the line to the Red Sea and Dongola, not only testify to Macauley Bey's high professional qualifications, but also to the thouroughness and excellence of his work. The Sirdar on behalf of the Egyptian Army wishes to express his regret at the retirement from the Army of this valuable officer and to wish him every success in his future career.

The "Mokastan" anthoritatively denies the report of dissatisfaction attributed to the ulema of Al Azhar touching the appointment of Sheikh Mohamed Shakir to succeed Sheikh El Sherbini, declaring that in the event of his resignation he would be followed by another sheikh whose wisdom and profound knowledge of theology and religious law eminently qualify him for the honour. As for Sheikh Shakir, he is to return to Alexandria, to resume his work of reform in the University.

At the last meeting of the Counsil of Ministers the following resignations were accepted: Yacoub Pasha Artin, under Secretary of State for public Instruction, Hussein Bey Ritz, representative of the Parquet at the Alexandria Mixed Tribunal, and Doctor Mohamed Bey Shukri, professor of medicine at the Kasre-Aini school of medicine. Yasin Bey Mustapha, Mudir of Keneh,was retired on pension. His successor has not yet been appointed.

The Globes article on the National University which we reporoduced the other day may be said to demand a reply - not in the form of a verbal protest, but rather a demonstration that Moslem Egypt has some real interest in higher education. We do not ourselves entirely share the fears expressed by our London contemporary that our University may become a hot bed of Pan - Islamic agitation. Our fear is that after a spasmadic effort the public will relapse into a state of good natured apathy, that subscriptions will dwindle, and interest wane, and that finally the National University scheme will end in failure. In our opinion such a termination will not redound to the credit of the Egyptians. They have had an excellent chance of showing that the claims of their journalistic representatives were well founded; that higher education was ardently desired by the young intelligence of the country, that rich and poor were ready to contribute to the scheme; that the neglect of higher education by the Ministry of Public Instruction was resented by all the 'best elements' of the population.

We cannot disguise the fact that the scheme is not meeting with the support that it deserves, and that the unreadiness of Moslem Egypt to contribute thereto is the best defence the Government can possibly offer to any of the criticisms that have so plentifully occupied the contributors to the Native Press. If this neglect and apathy persist, what will become of the impassioned pleading of Mastapha Kamel, of the daily diatribes against Mr. Dunlop, of the communications to the British Press? May it not be possible that the Egyptian Government has throughout taken a saner view of the possibiliteis of higher education in Egypt than many of its self-appointed critis? We do not wish to "crab" the scheme, but we should like to have some evidence that it is going to meet with the support of a public that was represented by orators and journalists as gasping for a deep draught for the Pierian Spring.

The Malta correspondant for the "Daily Telegraph" reports that there came recently to Malta, a personage who does not believe that there is no important feature for Islam in North Africa, and he is no passive prophet like the excommunicated Abbe' Dorean, who foretells everything good for the financial year 1909. He is a militant minister for the people of Allah, and in accepted authority. He was expelled from French territory, and has now been sent away from Malta. He speaks of a holy war and of going to Egypt. To Europeans he belies his looks in his turban, chocolate burnoof, half-bare legs, cotton hose and heelless slippers, but he is a master of many languages, a good speaker, a clever writer, and has fnancial resources and a knowledge of English.

The pan-Ismlamic society is about to lose one of its most energetic members, one of its founders, Mr. Abdullah Al-Mamon Suhawardy, who is returning to India, after having been called to the Bar at Gray's Inn, but intending to visit on his way home Constantinople and Egypt. In order to say "Good-Bye" to him, the Pan-Islamic Society gave a musical "At-Home" at the Criterion Restaurant, which was very largely attended. The guests were recieved by the new secretary, Mr. Kidwai, and among those present were Daniel Bey, of the Ottoman Embassy, and other leading representatives of the Islamic community in London. In the evening Mr. Kidwai delivered a brief speech, Godspeed to Mr. Suhawardy. He remarked that the foundation of that society, due in a large degree to their guest, was most happy idea. Mr. Suhawardy briefly replied, appealing to all prestent to continue the good work.

Owing to absurd rumors that an attempt would be made by a very fast steamer on the Sultan on Mid-Ramadan when His Majesty was crossing to Stamboul to venerate the relics of the Prophet, the most extraordinary precautions were taken. All steamers from the Black Sea and Mediterranean were stopped at the entrance to the Bosphorus or the Dardanelles, and all traffic and work on the ships was suspended. The harbour, which is usually thronged with the boats and the shipping, was cleared of everything, and all lighters, caiques, and boats were sent behind the bridges of the Golden Horn, and the entrance was blocked. Only police boats were left. In spite of the above precautions, a Greek steamer attempted to enter the harbour, and when she was stopped by the police, tried to turn, but got caught in a current, which carried her right on to the Sultan's private landing-stage on Seraglio Point, which she only escaped destroying by letting go her anchors.

The Board of Directors of the Suez Canal Company have fixed the rate of the coupons due on Jan. 1 next as follows: Actions de Capital (gross)... ... 55f. Actions de Capital (net)... ... 50.232f. Actions de Jouissance (gross)... ... 49.50f. Actions de Jouissance (net)... ... 38.584f. Founders Shares (gross)... ... 23.943f. Founders Shares (net)... ... 21.937f. Coupons will be discounted at the company's offices at the Bank of France Rate of Discount.

We have great pleasure in laying before our readers the history of the first and, let us hope the last exponent in Egypt of the methods of certain American journals - Captian Jorge Nelken y Waldberg whose recent appearance in H.B.M's Consular Court at Cairo was attended by many remarkable incidents.

Captain Waldberg is the editor and proprietor of "The Oriental Truth," which is the only American daily newspaper published in the Levant, and is an interesting example of the Yellow Press of the United States transplanted to the banks of the Nile. As gurantee of its character, Captian Waldberg's organ is printed on paper of an obtrusively yellow character; in fact, its tinge is identical with the quarantine colours. It is printed in French and Arabic, and was originally only issued weekly and illustrated with ribald cartoond and faulty photos.

His Early Career

The Captain arrived in Egypt about a year ago from Constantinople. He is, so he says, of Latin-American origin, and we believe his father was an Austrian. He adopted a military career some years ago, and served in the army of the South American Republics, whence he obtained his rank of Captain. Subsequently he went northwards to the United States and embarked on a journalistic career. He was an ardent advocate of the Democratic platform, and had a paper of his own at New York. He next appears as a newspaper correspondant in Central America, where he claims to have taken the only photograph of the newly formed Panama army. Next he transferred his sphere of operations to Europe and joined the American contingent in the Hellenic-Turkish war. At Athens he married the daughter of a Greek colonel, by whom he has issue. From Greece he went to Constantinople.

His Stamboul Career

He took up his residence in the Capital of the Ottoman Empire in the attic of a boarding house opposite the Maison Olivo, now occupied by the American Embassy. He first started various schemes of a journalistic nature, but these failing, he began the compilation of a biographical album, entitles "Le Corps Diplomatique et Personnages en Orient." He first subscriber was the Hon. John G. A. Leishman, the American Ambassador, from whom he recieved £25 with the Ambassadorial signature. This was the first step in the ladder of his subsequent career, for, fortified with this patronage, he approached the other members of the Diplomatic Corps. The Ecumenical Patriarch, among others, refused point blank to subscribe, whereupon the Captain went to the Bulgarian in Exarch, who, being informed of the Patriarchal parsimony, was only too delighted to show his generosity against the meanness of his hated rival. To show his gratitude the Captain, whose child had been baptized by the Greek Church, had his progeny re-baptized by the "Schismatical" Bulgarian. Fortified by this high ecclesiastial patronage, he had moved from his humble room in the second rate boarding house to the Grand Hotel Kroecker. He engaged the services of an Albanian Clerk, Phillip Nogga by name, who had been secretary to the Grand Vizier, Ferid Pasha. The services of this clerk proved of great value. His previous official position had made him adept in all the wiles of intrigues that ever surrounds Yildiz. His knowledge of the previous methods of "backstairs" diplomacy was extensive and peculiar. All the past reputations of the men who basked for the time being the Sultan's favour, together with the characters of their hangers-on, were known to him to a nicety. He was, in a word, a walking encyclopedia of the inner history of Yildiz. A recent writer on the Near East remarked "If anybody could put on paper a thoughtful account of one month's doings at Yildiz, the book would be worth one thousand pounds - take any month in the year. That small circumference of two or three square miles on the top of the hill above Ortakeni and Beshiktash contains more antiquity, probably, than any area ten times as great on the surface of the globe. And the consequences of what goes on so quietly in those shaded gardens and kiosques influence the whole civilised and more than half of the barbarian world." It is easy to imagine what a treasure trove Phillip Nogga the Albanian was to Captain Waldberg. He knew every track through the monstrous undergrowth of intrigue and corruption which surrounds the decaying fabric of the Ottoman Empire.

The Magnm Opus

Under the guidance of the Secretary of the Grand Vizier the Captain was enabled to find plenty of material for his magnum opus "Le Corpus Diplomatique et Personnages en Orient." Details of the careers of exalted State dignitaries began to be revealed, strange stories were bruited about as to be revelations that the work was to make, and the parasites, who fatten on the carcass of an Empire in its death agony, began to be seriously disturbed at the prospect of the impending publication of Captian Waldberg's great work.

The Captain was most pertinacious in canvassing, but he was not recieved with open arms by all the Ambassadors. Some diplomatists simply referred him for the details he declared he desired to the official facts in their respective Foreign Office Lists, while others indefinitely postponed their decision. With the ecclesisastical bigwigs of Stamboul his success was more marked. The Armenian Patriarch, Ormanian, the Bulgarian Exarch, and other high pontiffs were pleased to lend their patronage. But his great friend and supporter was the Envoy of the King of Kings, General Messeschia, the envoy of the Negus, to whom the captain disposed of a sewing machine and other useful products of Occidental civilization.

The General on his return to Abyssinia procured for the Captian a decoration and an autograph letter from the Negus. Meanwhile the great work was progressing and the Captian became more prosperous. The Sultan's American A D.C. Captain Bucknam gave it his patronage, and soon a notice announcing the forthcoming book was inserted "Levant Herald."

The Suspicious Turk

Having thus attained a certain degree of notoriety, the Captain now directed his attention to the great personages in the immediate entourage of the Sultan. The Sheikh al Islam, Hashem Pasha, the Minister of Public Instruction, and other high functionairies, civil and military, were now approached and gave their biographies, which were to be printed both in French and Turkish. At this juncture his Imperial Majesty stepped in. Whether it was only suspicion, or whether one or other of his courtiers, objected to their biographies appearing cannot be stated with any certainty, but the fact remains with the Imperial Fiat went forth and the great work was suddenly and mysteriously stopped

Diplomatic Action

The Captian declared that this action on the part of the Sultan was a monstrous abuse of autocracy, and as a free and independent citizen of the United Stated he would never submit to such treatment. The American Ambassador was appealed to, and with success. Communications passed between Yildiz and the Embassy, and it was finally agreed that a handsome compensation should be given to the aggrieved author, whose susceptabilities were soothed by a handsome solatium that went into four figures. His last days at Constantinople were spent in luxury at the Pera Palace Hotel, and then the Captain set sail to seek fresh fields and pastures new in the land of Egypt.

Conclusion

Captian Waldberg is to be condoled with in his failure in Egypt. He has arrived too late. Had he only appeared in Cairo during the palmy days of the Ismailian Khediviate he would have had the most roseate prospects of a short but lucrative career, and might easily have recieved a fat pension on the condition of his withdrawal from the country. But times have changed, and there is very little scope nowadays for gentlemen of his stamp. The best arena for his talents would be some umbrageous little Republic in South or Central America, although it is said that journalists of his type are not unknown to wax prosperous in some Native States in India, but for this we cannot vouch. At any rate, Egypt is clearly not the country for him, and we fear that there is very little chance of "The Oriental Truth" developing into a paying newspaper property. But–happy thought–there is still a chance for him here. Why does he not get Mr. Wilfrid Blunt to take up his case as another "Atrocity of Justice Under British Administration in Egypt" ?

The Attarin Native Court sentenced Mohamed Hassan Nigazi, of Esbet El-Kom, near Damanhour, on Saturday to 15 years imprisonment with hard labor for the murder of Ibrahim Ahmed el-Raye, of the same esbet, of the 1st September last; and sentenced the murderer's accomplice, Mohamed Sayid Hashish by name, to 10 years' imprisonment with hard labor.

Yesterday morning, the same court sentenced Mohamed Ahmed el-Dibali and Khamis el Shishi, of Kom el Kanatir, near Abou Homos, to 7 and 3 years imprisonment with hard labor, respectively, for cattle stealing, and Ali Hassan el Gammal, of Shemasth near Rosetta, to 10 years' hard labor for attempting to steal cattle and seriously assaulting two native women.

Kharalambo Kornio, a "rayeh" of Alexandria, was also sentenced on Saturday to 3 years' imprisonment for attempted murder.

The wrestling on Saturday night was quite intersting. M. Paul Pons, the huge Frenchman, vanquished M. Limousin, his weight and strength proving far too much for his opponent, who, hoewver, made a fine struggle and showed great activity. Mr. Cilis English (sic), conquered M.Finisch, Swiss, after a short and lively bout. M. Finisch seemed to accept the result as quite usual and part of the day's work, as his usual luck! Nielo, the Italian, beat Sandorfi, the Hungarian, also after a good enough fight. The last and greatest event of the evening was the fight to a finish between Van de Berg, the Dutchman, and Schackman, the "terrible" German. Scackmann's method did not at all appeal to the audience, nor, we must confess, to ourselves. If he did not actually foul repeatedly, he was at any rate very near, and we think he should have been severely cautioned at the first sign of offending. Anyhow, he won after some 35 minutes. Van de Berg made a splendid fight of it, and time after time recovered when defeat seemed inevitable. He showed very great strength of arm, and more than once prevented the German from performing his favorite trick of turning over and on to his feet; but the strength and weight of the other was too much for him, and he seemed quite exhausted at the finish.

Prince Toussoun, with Mr. and Mrs. Ne. Groponte, arrived at the Ritz Hotel, London, from Paris last week.

The Ministers returned to Cairo from Alexandria yesterday.

H.H. the Khedive confirmed on Saturday last the rank of Mirmiran on Saad Bey Zhagloul, the new Minister of Education who now becomes Pasha.

The Khedive has conferred the second class of the Order of the Osmenieh on Yacub Pasha Artin, on the occassion of his retirement.

An Athens telegram states that the appointment of Mr. Philon, Hellenic Coheaul General at Constantinople, to be Diplomatic Agent and Consul General at Cairo, has been officially confirmed.

kaimakam Parker Bey will leave for Nakhl Fort in the course of the week.

An order submitted by the Prisons of Administration expresses the regret of this Administration at the death of Mr. Rene Carton de Wisrt, late Governor of Tourah Prison

A marriage has been arranged and will take place next spring, between Leutenant Colonel W.H. Persse, Quean's Bays, commanding the Egyptian cavalry, and the Miss Mary, younger daughter of the late Mr. T.G. Artindale and of Mrs. Artindale, 31, Cornwall gardeos.

The marriage has been solemnized, at the English Church, Port said, by the Rev. Canon Strange, of Norton Bey, of Suez and Miss Lomax. After the ceremony the happy pair left for the Continental Hotel, Cairo.

Major and Mrs. Stanly Barry are now staying at Biarritz en route for Egypt, where they intend to pass the winter.

Among the Passengers by the S.S. Semiramis, which arrived from Brindisi and Trieste this morning, were, M. Mme A. Tilche, M. and Mme Cattani, M. Sarigo Salone Comte Pennazzi, Comte Olga Labedoff, Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Moss, Mr. von Pitner, Comtesse de Ajala, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, Mr. Wertern, Mrs. Chataway and children, Dr. Carpenter.

Captain and quarter master J.C. Field, 2nd Batallion Royal Berks Regiment, accompanied by his wife and family, embarked at Port Said to-day on the Bibby liner Stafford-shire for London.

2nd Lient A.J. St. Loftus, 2nd Batallion Royal Inniskillung Fusiliers, has been granted 3 months' sick leave on the recommendation of a medical board.

O. Man Eff. Rifki has been appointed private secretary to Mr. Mitchell Innes, Under Secretary to the Ministry of Finance.

Among those staying at the Luxor Hotel are:—Mr.Losco, Mr,Milton, Ober Landesgeric-htrat and Mme. Aokermann, Princess Gaotuvar, Mr. C. Woff, Mr. Warner, Mrs. Balfont and the Misses Blalfour, Colonel and Mr. Dance, Mr. Chanter, Messrs. de Behr, Mr. Leopold Arzt, Mr. and Mrs. Rippert, Mr. Schaffer, Mr. Monson, Dr. Hasting*, Mr. and Mrs. A. Air-dersorn Mr. and Mr?. F. Briggs, Mr. Doqphell, Miss Pilcher, Mrs. Brown, Miss Brown, Mr? Peroiva1, D^seberlein, Mr. Paccand deCocd^, Colonel and Mrs. Turbarvil'e, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd, Mr. and Mr. Aleop, Mr. Delanoy, Mr. S'ubbs, Mr. Lintz. Mr. de Barvevi'le, Mr. E. Hetold, Mr. R. Leibintz, Mr. and Mrs. Knrtz, Mr. Stanley Stocken, M-. Dawson, Mr. A. Urq ifiart, Mr Dumuir, Mr. Garozzi, Dr. Hasting?,, Dr. Williams.

ARRIVALS

Per Ellerman liner Britannia arrived morning from Liverpool and Malta :

Mr. V. E. Grindon, Mr H. B. Grindon, Mr. and Mrs. Jardine and daughter. Mr?. E. Bailey, Miss McCallnm, M:si; N. Griffiths, Mre. Hebard, infant and miro, Mr. C. F. Morris, Mr. Pindall, Mr. Nicbll, Mre. Peroival and two children, Mre. Peroival's maid and nnree.

Per S.S. Rameses arrived this morning from Liverpool:

Mrs. Allen, Mr. K. P. Birley, Mr. F. R. Beavan, Rev. W. T. and Mrs. Float, Mrs. Gardner, Miss Sveois, Mr. R. J. Jones, MLe. Mecdcnsld, Mr. F. R Middleton, Mrs5 Parvis, Miss Parvis, Mrs. Rodocanachi, Mrs. Sedgewick, Mre. Snmnismondo, Mr. Ed. Khertison, Mr. L. this Mioheti, Mr. L. Salvadosi, Mr. C. Plat, Mr. A. Mr. Ed Vierbucher, Mr. Pifsud, Mr. P Vasallo, Mrs. Nahum, Mr. and Mrs. Tong, Mr. Hardy, Mr. Sant, Mr. C Hoon, Mr. and Mrs. L Johnson, Mrs. Isherwood, Mrs. Jones, Miss A. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Spins, Mr. Briffs, Mrs. Pace, Mrs. Pace, Mr. Bossina, Mr. Fralliet, Mr. V Citroni and 15 deck passengers.