V 32 Assuming, however, that the tliiiiciilties <jf legislation and jurisdiction could he surmounted, ft must he borne in mind that in the particular class of offences now under discussion, the real difficulties are difficulties of police. Now, where foreigners are concerned, it is precisely in respect of these that the Egyptian Government are most hampered by the Capitulations and by the genenil attitude towards the e.xecution of the law to which the Capitulations give rise. As long as the trial of foreigner's by EgTitijin criminal tribunals is tlie exception and not the rule, neither the Government iiov the native tribunals and police are likely to obtnin, either from the consulates or from the foreign population, that assistance and support whicii is essential to the sound administration of justice.

32. Prevention of Cruelty to Aniiuals.

Ill 1909, 3,574 animals entered the infirmar}* of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as compared with 1,855 in 1908. It will be observed that, owing to greater activity on the part of the society, the number has neai'ly doubled.

One of the practical difficulties under wdiich the society labours is that it has no power to detain animals belonging to Europeans, but can only in such cases prosecute the owner, another instance of the way in which progress in Egypt is retarded by the effects of the Capitulations. On several occasions it has, however, been possible to pereuade European owners to leave their animals under treatment in the infirmary, and, under present conditions, this appears to be the only solution. As an instance of the utility of the societ}-s work it may be mentioned that an inspection carried out one night last summer through the native quarters resulted in the arrest of 25 animals, 8 of which had to be destroyed at once. Tlie society depends almost entirely on donations and subscriptions io maintain an efficient staff' supplies, ambulance, &c., and the sum of £E. 2,285 recovered last year from ownei's barely covered the cost of feeding and stabling. Annual subscriptions in 3 909 show' an increase of 70 per cent, over 1908, donations remaining the same, but the excess of expenditure over income amounted to £E. 331, and tlie small reserve fund must soon be extinguished unless more support is obtained. The increased activity of the society is in great measure due to the zeal and energy displayed by Mr. F. Powell, the new secretary, whose w’ork has wdth justice received great commendation from all lovers of dumb animals. It must be hoped that the latter will be encouraged by these results to show their appreciation by the practical method of increasing their subscriptions.

33. The Pilgrimage.

Amongst the occurrences of the year a notable event was the accomplishment of the pilgrimage to Mecca bj* His Highness the Khedive and Her Highness the Tice-Peine Mre, this being the first occasion, since the early times of the Khedivial d\masty, when tlie ruler of Egypt has undertaken this arduous journey. The safe return of their Highnesses aroused the greatest enthusiasm throughout the country, and, in commemoration of the event, a refuge is to Ije erected by public subscription at Suez for the benefit of future pilgrims on their way to the holy places.

It may be mentioned tliat the total number of Egyptian pilgrims this year was about 10,000. Moreover, 5,000 foreign pilgrims passed through the country by laud to embark at Suez, and some 10,000 others traversed the Canal. In consequence of a case of plague at Jeddah, the pilgrimage was declared infected, and consequently all pilgrims were obliged to undergo ten days’ quarantine on their return.

Now that the Hedjaz can be reached by rail, it w'ould appear that the present quarantine arrangements require modification. The question, however, more directly concerns Turkey and Europe than Egypt. The present organization affords sufficient protection to this country as far as arrivals from Arabian ports are concerned; the eastern frontier is easy to guard, and as regards Syrian ports, Egypt can always protect herself by imposing quarantine. ” House of Commons Parliamentary Papers Online. Copyright (c) 2006 ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved.