Mr. Hale to Mr. Seward
Sir: * * * * * *
His highness the viceroy had returned from Constantinople two days previously. I had an audience the day of my return, and on the 18th, in company with my colleagues, proceeded to Cairo, where on the 19th the firman was read with imposing oriental ceremonies in an apartment of the citadel fitted as a throne room for the occasion. I reserved for a later despatch an exact translation of the firman.
The removal of all the divans from Alexandria to Cairo took place at the same time and a change of ministry was announced. Cherif Pacha is remanded to the honorable retirement of the presidency of the grand council; Zoulfikar Pacha, late governor of Alexandria, assumes the portfolio of foreign affairs ad interim, in the continued absence of Nubar Pacha; and Ragheb Pacha is placed at the head of the combined departments of finance, interior and public works.
Ragheb Pacha has given great satisfaction upon his entrance upon the duties of his new position as minister of finance, by causing the immediate payment of the past due warrants and obligations of the government. I am told that no less a sum than one hundred and eighty thousand pounds sterling was thus paid out during the first two days of Ragheb’s presence at his new office. The employés of the government, notwithstanding a reduction of 20 per cent, in their salaries, are pleased with the assurance that their pay shall not hereafter be allowed to fall more than three months in arrears, and the new minister asserts confidently that he has the means to provide for all financial necessities for the next six months.
Several officers of the British army are now in Egypt actively engaged in preparations for the war in Abyssinia. One of them has issued notices inviting tenders for forage for mules, and another advertises exchange on the British government at London, for sale for gold. It is proposed to establish a military depot at Alexandria for the mules and supplies in the course of transshipment. The Egyptian government has not been asked to famish any assistance, except in giving facilities for transport, for which due payment is made according to the established tariff of the railway administration.
At the same time the previous arrangements for the transit through Egypt of British troops for service in India continue in force, and the first detachment from England is expected here shortly. The troops for service in Abyssinia are [Page 96] expected to arrive from Bombay and to be disembarked at some port in the Red sea, as yet not determined.
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I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.